EgoPo’ “Diary of Anne Frank”

Young girl? No, young woman

This adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank is different from— and better than— the 1955 version you grew up with. Among other things, it's less squeamish about Anne's adolescent awkwardness and her family's Jewishness.

Steve Cohen

Oct 23, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

The human Dr. King: Katori Hall's "The Mountaintop'

Martin Luther King: Myth vs. man

This startling, unconventional and inspiring play by a young African-American playwright takes us to the mountaintop (Martin Luther King's metaphor) of American dreams and expectations by way of an unexpected, uplifting route.

Carol Rocamora

Oct 23, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

John Logan's "Red' at Suzanne Roberts (1st review)

Rothko's complaint, or: Where are the grown-ups?

What's a brilliant Abstract Expressionist like Mark Rothko to do in an art world overrun by Philistines and pop culture? John Logan's Red, for all its dramatic shortcomings, provides rich and ample food for thought about the role of the artist in society.

Dan Rottenberg

Oct 23, 2011 · Articles · 6 minute read

Lantern Theater's "New Jerusalem' (2nd review)

Hangin' out with good ol' Baruch

As created by David Ives and portrayed by Sam Henderson, Baruch de Spinoza provides warm and witty company for 21st-Century audiences, even if he bears little resemblance to the real headstrong 17th-Century philosopher.

Steve Cohen

Oct 18, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Ama Deus Ensemble at the Perelman

Mozart Ó la Radu

Valentin Radu opened an ambitious series of concerts at the Perelman Theater with a program that includes his own uninhibited half-sitting, half-standing approach to playing and conducting Mozart's 23rd Piano Cconcerto.

Tom Purdom

Oct 18, 2011 · Articles · 2 minute read

Tempesta di Mare's tenth birthday bash

Celebrate good (Baroque) times

Tempesta di Mare celebrated its tenth anniversary with pieces saluting a royal birthday, a military victory and the sheer joy of making music.

Tom Purdom

Oct 18, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Opera Company's "Carmen' (2nd review)

Where's the edge?

The Opera Company of Philadelphia's production of Bizet's Carmen was a split decision: competent but not probing as a traditional staging of a Romantic classic, with the female leads coming off decidedly better than the males. Carmen. Opera by Georges Bizet. Directed by David Gately; Corrado Rovaris, conductor. Opera Company of Philadelphia production closed October 14, 2011 at Academy of Music, Broad and Locust St. (215) 893-1999 or www.operaphila.org.

Robert Zaller

Oct 18, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Two Hands' at Annenberg

Magical moments

Two Far East expatriates now based in Philadelphia— the Chinese puppeteer Hua Hua Zhang and the Indonesian choreographer Kun-Yang Lin— joined forces for a program that was enthralling from beginning to end.

Janet Anderson

Oct 18, 2011 · Articles · 2 minute read

George Clooney's "Ides of March' (2nd review)

Is there a Republican in the house?

The Ides of March is a thriller without guns or foreign spies; its drama concerns the intimate actions and reactions of individuals making choices in the high-stakes milieu of presidential politics.

Judy Weightman

Oct 15, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Christie in Love' at Eastern State Penitentiary

Location, location, location

Howard Brenton's drama about a gory yet meek serial killer has been chilling audiences for more than 40 years, but never with such haunting effect as last month, when it was performed at Eastern State Penitentiary.

Steve Cohen

Oct 15, 2011 · Articles · 2 minute read