Pennsylvania Ballet's "The Nutcracker'

Once more into the land of Candy Canes and Dew Drops

Anyone can stage a Nutcracker performance. But only the Pennsylvania Ballet and two other companies are authorized to perform the Balanchine version. It's still the ideal antidote for the darkest weeks of the year.

Janet Anderson

Dec 15, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

Philadelphia Orchestra plays Wagner (1st review)

Where's the beef? Or: Wagner sans drama

The Philadelphia Orchestra demonstrated that Wagner without drama can be beautiful. It can also put you to sleep.

Steve Cohen

Dec 12, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read

Malcolm Wells: Nature's architect

An architect who loved the earth

Most famous architects impose their grand visions upon nature. Malcolm Wells, by contrast, subordinated his ego to nature.

Patrick D. Hazard

Dec 12, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read

"This Is the Week That Is' by 1812 Productions (2nd review)

How do you roast a target like Obama?

The latest edition of This Is the Week That Is improves on its predecessors because it does more than attack the unpopular Bush administration. The writers clearly hold conflicted views about Obama's behavior as president, and their uncertainty leads to a more nuanced show than in the past. This Is the Week That Is: The New Administration. Conceived and directed by Jennifer Childs; head writer Don Montrey. Presented through January 3, 2010 by 1812 Productions at Plays and Players Theatre, 1724 Delancey Pl. (215) 592-9560 or www.1812productions.org.

Steve Cohen

Dec 12, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Nézet-Séguin conducts the Orchestra (3rd review)

A day and a night in Vivier's Paris (in just 13 minutes)

Claude Vivier's Orion took me on a sprightly 13-minute tour of Paris. In the process, it managed to make Brahms seem tedious by comparison.

Michael Woods

Dec 12, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

Nézet-Séguin conducts the Orchestra (2nd review)

In defense of leisurely pacing

Poor César Franck— even the Philadelphia Orchestra's program annotator chides his symphony for being repetitive. But in an age before cell phones, TV and recordings, concerts provided leisurely immersion in beautiful sounds.

Steve Cohen

Dec 12, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

"This Is the Week That Is' by 1812 Productions (1st review)

Shooting fish in a barrel

Why does a sophisticated comedy troupe like 1812 Productions persist in sophomoric political satire like This Is the Week That Is?

Dan Rottenberg

Dec 11, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Chamber concerts: 1807 and Amerita

Across the generation gap

In two local chamber concerts, the retired Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Lloyd Smith teamed up with his young successor, Yumi Kendall.

Tom Purdom

Dec 08, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Nézet-Séguin conducts the Orchestra (1st review)

Conductor shortage? Where?

Let the auditions continue: Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the young music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic and principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic, made a return appearance with the Philadelphia Orchestra and brought fresh energy to two Romantics and a modern.

Robert Zaller

Dec 08, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

Gorky retrospective at Art Museum (4th review)

Grade inflation: Meet the suffering saint of Abstract Impressionism

The Art Museum's fall blockbuster gives Arshile Gorky the full masterpiece treatment, in the process obscuring rather than illuminating Gorky's genuine value as a painter. It also illustrates the fate worse than death being planned for the Barnes collection in its coffin on the Parkway.

Robert Zaller

Dec 08, 2009 · Articles · 7 minute read