Muhly's "Dark Sisters' by the Opera Company

If gays can marry, why not…..?

Dark Sisters, a new opera based on a 1953 federal raid on polygamists, briefly raises a tantalizing issue but fails to explore it.

Steve Cohen

Jun 18, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Visions of Arcadia' at the Art Museum (1st review)

Give me the simple life: The wishful thinking of artists

Arcadia calls to mind pastoral visions of shepherds playing their pipes while their sheep graze peacefully in the pastures. The Art Museum's “Visions of Arcadia” shows how this vision persisted among artists long after everyone else stopped taking it seriously.

Andrew Mangravite

Jun 18, 2012 · Articles · 8 minute read

American painters in the Barnes

Those overlooked Americans at the Barnes

Notwithstanding all those Renoirs and Cézannes, the Barnes Collection also contains an important story of American artists who made significant contributions to modern art.

Marilyn MacGregor

Jun 18, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Capanna and Maneval works at Curtis

The sonata today: Dull copy, lively music

The differences between Robert Capanna and Philip Maneval demonstrated, once again, the difference between the music that composers turn out today and the academic music that audiences endured for too many years of the 20th Century.

Tom Purdom

Jun 17, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Art Safari to Kensington

Beyond Center City: Artists with everything (but money)

The artist's art scene, which over the last half century has shifted from South Street to Old City to Northern Liberties, has now moved to Kensington and Port Richmond. Anyone really interested in contemporary art is going to have to find out where these neighborhoods are.

Martha Ledger

Jun 17, 2012 · Articles · 7 minute read

Michael Ching's "Slaying the Dragon'

Can't we all just get along?

Michael Ching's Slaying the Dragon, based on the true story of a friendship between a Ku Klux Klansman and a rabbi, generates plenty of good feelings. But it lacks the essential ingredient in opera: dramatic conflict.

Steve Cohen

Jun 17, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Hysteria' and female sex drive

What women really want

Hysteria is a new film about the invention of the vibrator and its role in liberating women's sexual needs. If only someone could liberate Hollywood from its cinematic cliché needs.

Alaina Johns

Jun 12, 2012 · Articles · 6 minute read

Lantern's "The Island' (4th review)

Incarceration, Inc.

The Island, Athol Fugard's co-authored play about prisoners on South Africa's infamous Robben Island, is both historically dated and timelessly relevant— especially to America's own carceral society, and our own political prison at Guantanamo Bay. The Island. By Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshuma; Peter DeLaurier directed. Closed June 10, 201 at the Lantern Theater, 923 Ludlow St. (215) 829-0395 or www.lanterntheater.org.

Robert Zaller

Jun 12, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Angels in America' at the Wilma

Angels, beyond AIDS

Now that AIDS is no longer immediately fatal, the original theme of Angels in America isn't as shocking. Instead we look to it for broader themes, which Tony Kushner's script fortunately provides. It's funny, too.

Steve Cohen

Jun 11, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet plays it safe

Pennsylvania Ballet's quandary: Daring dancers, cautious programs

The Pennsylvania Ballet could be an international sensation instead of a regional stalwart if it didn't play it so safe.

Merilyn Jackson

Jun 11, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read