Medieval books at Arthur Ross Gallery

A new exhibit takes us back to a time when books were highly valued commodities, painstakingly transcribed by hand, illustrated by artists in bright colors and sometimes even embellished with real gold.

“Treasured Pages. Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts from the Free Library of Philadelphia.” Through January 6, 2008, at Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, 220 South 34th St. (215) 898-2083 or www.upenn.ed

Andrew Mangravite

Nov 20, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

'Peter Pan' at the Walnut

Peter Pan is largely irrelevant today, when adults have more fun than kids. And the Walnut Street Theatre’s revival of the 1954 musical adaptation makes no effort to pretend otherwise. Consequently there’s just one element missing from this otherwise enjoyable production: drama.

Peter Pan. Music by Mark Charlap; lyrics by Carolyn Leish; based on the play by James M. Barrie. Through January 6, 2008 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., (215) 574-3550

Dan Rottenberg

Nov 17, 2007 · Articles · 2 minute read

"Mother Courage' at Villanova (1st review)

Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage is the right play at the right time as we face our own incipient Thirty Years’ War in the Middle East, and Villanova’s production gives a credible account of the play’s astringent honesty as well as its epic power.

Mother Courage and Her Children. By Bertolt Brecht; directed by Shawn Kairschner. Villanova Theatre production November 13-18 and November 27-December 2, 2007 at Vasey Theatre, Villanova U. (

Robert Zaller

Nov 17, 2007 · Articles · 5 minute read

Felice Frankel at Haverford College

Even when she deletes the Petri dish from her photograph of a yeast flower, Felice Frankel’s photographs are all about discovery and learning. Science never looked so inviting.

“Envisioning Science: Photographs by Felice Frankel.” Through December 2, 2007 at Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery, Whitehead Campus Center, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford. (610) 896-1287 or www.cantorfitzgeraldgalle

Andrew Mangravite

Nov 17, 2007 · Articles · 2 minute read

"Mother Courage' at Villanova (2nd review)

Brecht may have been the 20th Century’s most influential and original playwright. But in the 21st his relevance has largely faded, especially for American audiences. Of course war is a bad thing. But what else is new?

Mother Courage and Her Children. By Bertolt Brecht; directed by Shawn Kairschner. Villanova Theatre production November 13-18 and November 27-December 2, 2007 at Vasey Theatre, Villanova U. (610) 519-7474 or

Jim Rutter

Nov 17, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

Seurat drawings at MOMA

If Van Gogh offered us a new way of seeing, Seurat concentrated his formidable talent on the act of seeing itself. As great a painter as Seurat is, he is arguably an even greater draftsman, and the current exhibit of his drawings at the Museum of Modern Art is an event not to be missed.

“Georges Seurat: The Drawings.” Through January 7, 2008 at Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 St., New York. (212) 708-9400 or

Robert Zaller

Nov 13, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

Orchestra's postlude concert

I’ve never understood why many people think spontaneous outbursts are more artistically fulfilling than music played from carefully thought out scores. Does anybody think an actor could have come up with “To be or not to be” on the spur of the moment?

Network for New Music, Philadelphia Orchestra postlude: Mandat, Folk Songs (Paul Demers, clarinet); Sierra, Bongo-0 (Anthony Orlando, bongos). November 8, 2007 at Verizon Hall. (215) 848-

Tom Purdom

Nov 13, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Molly Sweeney' at Amaryllis (2nd review)

Amaryllis Theatre’s production presents a stellar cast whose near-mesmerizing performances never falter. But sadly, Brian Friel’s play reduces the extraordinary struggle of a formerly blind woman to the common fear experienced by every kindergarten student who resists leaving home for his first day of school.

Molly Sweeney. Drama by Brian Friel; directed by Tom Reing. Amaryllis Theatre Co. production through Nov. 18, 2007 at the Playground at the Adrienne, 2030

Jim Rutter

Nov 13, 2007 · Articles · 6 minute read

"Last Songs' by Lyric Fest

The Lyric Fest art song series devoted its latest program to the last songs of European and American composers. This was a great idea for a program, with one slight problem: A composer’s final melody isn’t necessarily his best one.

Lyric Fest: Last Songs. Songs by Beethoven, Purcell, Bernstein, Britten, Brahms, etc. David Adams, Suzanne DuPlantis, Randi Marrazzo, Stephen Powell, Katherine Pracht, Julian Rodescu, Barbara Shirvis, vocalists; Laura Ward, Harold

Tom Purdom

Nov 13, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

Martha Graham Dance Co. at Annenberg

Martha Graham’s company, now in its 80th year, is rising from its own ashes. Its recent program was erratically danced (in some cases by students). But what matters is that it’s preserving an innovative dance legacy, not merely embalming an iconic choreographer.

Martha Graham Dance Company. Presented Nov. 8-10, 2007 by Dance Celebration at Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. (215) 898 3900 or www.pennpresents.org.

Lewis Whittington

Nov 10, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read