Reviews

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In a cozy, warmly lit cabin living room, Strathairn stands at center and the others sit or lie on couches and chairs.

People’s Light presents Joseph Dougherty’s Off By One

Off by some

Off By One, a world premiere at People’s Light about a writer and the impact of his work, featuring TV and film star David Strathairn, feels stuck in the draft stage. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 3 minute read
In loose pale cotton shirt and pants, X, a Black man, sits and gestures passionately mid-speech.

Philadelphia Theatre Company presents Roger Q. Mason’s The Duat

Channeling emotional ghosts

Philadelphia Theatre Company presents Roger Q. Mason’s The Duat, a play that, even with an astonishing central role, struggles to settle into its own rhythm. Kiran Pandey reviews.
Kiran Pandey

Kiran Pandey

Reviews 4 minute read
Washed with red light, puppeteers work a giant face and hands, closing in on a small group of frightened people at center.

EgoPo Classic Theater, Papermoon Puppet Theatre, and Kalanari Theatre Movement present Ramayana

A heroic collaboration

Philly’s EgoPo Classic Theater builds on a partnership begun in the 1990s with two Indonesian theater companies. They bring Ramayana, a dazzling cross-cultural epic, to the Navy Yard for a weekend of free performances. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 3 minute read
A large dressing room installation with white walls washed in blue light and huge projections of Jarboe’s face.

The Fabric Workshop and Museum presents John Jarboe: The Rose Garden

Exploring what drag does best

The latest phase of John Jarboe’s Rose project, an immersive multidisciplinary installation at the Fabric Workshop and Museum, interrogates rigid notions of gender with serious playfulness. Jake Foster reviews.
Jake Foster

Jake Foster

Reviews 3 minute read

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Fayle, in hiking clothes, sits rubbing his foot and smiling at Gardner, who sits on a stump looking annoyed and holding a map

InterAct Theatre Company presents C.A. Johnson’s The Climb

Perfect for post-show conversations in Philly

The Climb, the latest world premiere onstage at InterAct, examines the white gaze in feminism, academia, and art, asking questions about power, consent, and commodification. Krista Mar reviews.
Krista Mar

Krista Mar

Reviews 3 minute read
Sieh, her back to the camera and her face in profile, appears in silhouette against a shimmering peach-gold backdrop.

The Wilma Theater and New Georges present Kate Scelsa and Robert M. Johanson’s Hilma

A new opera about the artist Hilma af Klint fails to illuminate her

Hilma, a contemporary opera receiving its world premiere at the Wilma Theater, fails to capture the artistry or mystical charisma of its subject, the painter Hilma af Klint. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 5 minute read
Martello stands at center wrapped in a shawl; Brown sits behind her. At left, Moses and Congdon hug tenderly in bed.

Inis Nua Theatre Company presents Abi Morgan’s Lovesong

A lyrical lack of specifics

Lovesong follows a British couple who comes to live to the US. In exploring memory, love, and the passage of time, the play’s ultimate vagueness makes it hard to empathize with the characters. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 2 minute read
With chorus members raising arms behind, KO poses with an intent expression by a bed, in a sleeveless beige dress.

Power Street Theatre presents Erlina Ortiz and Robi Hager’s Siluetas

A thrilling trilingual debut

Power Street Theatre presents the world premiere of Erlina Ortiz and Robi Hager’s Siluetas, which brings Tony-winning star KO to Philly. The show could benefit from some more development, but it’s a thrilling debut. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 3 minute read
In Civil War era costumes, the cast poses onstage looking gravely to the right, each raising their right hand, palm outward.

Quintessence Theatre Group presents Suzan-Lori Parks’s Father Comes Home From the Wars

An American Odyssey

Quintessence Theatre Group’s production of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Father Comes Home From the Wars: Parts I, II & III only intermittently captures the grandeur of the text. Cameron Kelsall reviews
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 4 minute read
Book cover. Title above on a pale background; an ancient circular music score appears below in black and red.

Music and the Idea of a World, by Peter Kalkavage

The meaning of music, from the Greeks to the 20th century

A background in music theory will serve readers well in this trenchant and insightful tour of music throughout history, its meaning and function, and how it helps us understand the many worlds we live in. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Reviews 4 minute read