Megan Bridge interviewed

Megan Bridge’s Subject in Two Parts is a dance study of the nature of identity, invoking real-life celebrities. A week before it’s opening, she talks about dance, audiences and what she hopes to achieve.

Subject in Two Parts. Choreography by Megan Bridge; directed by Greg Giovanni. May 2-4, 2008 at Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave. (215) 387-1911 or ww.cecarts.org.

Jaamil Olawale Kosoko

Apr 26, 2008 · Articles · 6 minute read

Lee Miller photos at Art Museum (3rd review)

Lee Miller was a regal beauty and fashion queen, a Surrealist muse and photographer, and a correspondent who captured some of the most striking images of World War II— including herself in Hitler’s bathtub. A woman for all seasons, who led one of the most adventurous lives of the 20th Century.

“The Art of Lee Miller.” Through April 27, 2008 at Philadelphia Museum of Art, Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 26th St. (215) 763-8100 or

Robert Zaller

Apr 26, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet's "Coppelia'

I’d seen Pennsylvania Ballet’s amusing Coppelia before and didn’t intend to see it again. But the magnetic young Abigail Mentzer changed my mind.

Coppelia. Music by Leo Delibes; choreography after Marius Petipa. Pennsylvania Ballet production through April 27, 2008 at Merriam Theatre, Broad St. above Spruce. (215) 551-7000 or www.paballet.org.

Jim Rutter

Apr 22, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Corneille's "The Illusion' at Villanova

Tony Kushner’s free rendering of Pierre Corneille’s Baroque fantasy, The Illusion, captures the spirit if not the diction of the original in Harriet Power’s fine staging, with a few mordant modern touches thrown in. It’s a reminder that some of our best regional theater can be found on university stages.

The Illusion. By Pierre Corneille, adapted by Tony Kushner; directed by Harriet Power. Villanova Theatre production through April 27

Robert Zaller

Apr 22, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

InterAct's "Frozen'

Frozen abounds with ideas about the nature of justice and the psychological costs of forgiveness. It provided me with some of the most thought-provoking theater of the year, and forced me to ask big questions. But is it a play, or a series of lectures?

Frozen. By Bryony Lavery; directed by Whit MacLaughlin. InterAct Theatre production through May 4, 2008 at Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8077, or

Jim Rutter

Apr 22, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

Lyric Fest: Philadelphia composers

One of the two most consistently enjoyable series in the city produces another wide-ranging spectacular. A program devoted to music by composers who spent part of their lives in Philadelphia provided a long list of surprises.

Lyric Fest: Songs by Bernstein, Barber, Rochberg, Rorem, Crumb, Menotti, Higdon, Garwood, et al. Jennifer Aylmer, Randi J. Marrazzo, Sally Wolf, sopranos; Markus Beam, baritone; Timothy Bentch, tenor; Megan Dey-Toth, Suzanne DuPlantis, mezzos; Tr

Tom Purdom

Apr 19, 2008 · Articles · 2 minute read

The case for live classical music

Why attend a live classical concert when you can listen to music on your iPod, car radio or home sound system? There are many reasons— and as even I (an orchestral musician) must admit, many of them actually favor the iPod. On the other hand…

Be'eri Moalem

Apr 19, 2008 · Articles · 6 minute read

"My Father's Game,' by Rick Wilber

Rick Wilber’s perceptive memoir of his father, his family and himself is also a book about the mythology of baseball. Del Wilber never lost the aura of entitlement that America accords a big league ballplayer, however modestly gifted.

My Father’s Game: Life, Death, Baseball. By Rick Wilber. McFarland & Co., 2008. 214 pages. $29.95. www.amazon.com.

Robert Zaller

Apr 19, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

Chamber Orchestra plays Mahler (1st review)

The conductor and the soloists at the latest Chamber Orchestra concert all did their jobs, but the gang sitting behind them deserves some special attention.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia: Mahler, Das Lied von der Erde (arranged Arnold Schoenberg, completed Rainer Riehn). Mary Ann McCormick, mezzo-soprano; Jason Collins, tenor; Gloria Justen, Robert Martin, violins; Alexandra Leem, viola; James J. Cooper III, cello; Miles B. Davis, bass; Edward Schultz flute, Geoff

Tom Purdom

Apr 19, 2008 · Articles · 2 minute read

Orchestra 2001, French style

Orchestra 2001 presents two works its conductor considers 20th Century masterpieces and provides the evidence to support his opinion.

Orchestra 2001: Milhaud, La Creation du Monde. Reise, The River Within. Maria Bachmann, violin; Honegger, Symphony No. 2. James Freeman, conductor. April 12, 2008 at Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center. (215) 922-2190 or www.orchestra2001.org.

Tom Purdom

Apr 15, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read