Quintessence Theatre Group presents George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara

Overstating the obvious

Directorial bells and whistles impede the socialist message of George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara at Quintessence Theatre Group. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

Sep 21, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

The Crossing presents Crickets in Our Backyard

Premieres by Wang Lu, Tania León, and Ayanna Woods

The Crossing choir opens its new season with Crickets in Our Backyard, featuring world premieres by Tania León and Ayanna Woods and an “indoor premiere” by Wang Lu. Gail Obenreder reviews.

Gail Obenreder

Sep 19, 2023 · Reviews · 5 minute read

Philly Fringe 2023: Spanking Macbeth and Macbeth in a Bar

Where Shakespeare’s never done

The 2023 Philly Fringe takes on Macbeth in two different shows: Spanking Macbeth, an original play, and Macbeth in a Bar, a restaging at Lilly’s Ferry. Kiran Pandey reviews.

Kiran Pandey

Sep 19, 2023 · Reviews · 4 minute read

Philly Fringe 2023: Urban Arts Movement presents Vincent Johnson’s Stank upon a Time: A Story about Funk

A lesson on the blues

Stank upon a Time is a transgressively absurdist exploration of the culture of Black music, from blues to funk, as the soundtrack of revolution and its survival and commodification in the present. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

Camille Bacon-Smith

Sep 19, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

McCarter Theatre Center and Berkeley Repertory Theatre present Eisa Davis’s Bulrusher

Something in the water

A new production of Eisa Davis’s Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center delivers on the playwright’s vision: welcoming, submerging, and transforming us. Jeannine Cook reviews.

Jeannine A. Cook

Sep 19, 2023 · Reviews · 4 minute read

Lantern Theater Company presents Molière’s Tartuffe

Scandals, scoundrels, and rhyme

The Lantern Theater takes Richard Wilbur’s definitive 1963 translation of Molière’s 1664 play, Tartuffe, sets it in the Belle Époque and sets a high bar for the 2023-2024 theater season. Jill Ivey reviews.

Jillian Ashley Blair Ivey

Sep 18, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Philly Fringe 2023: Susan Marshall and Mimi Lien present Rhythm Bath

A sensory delight

An inclusive dance installation presented in partnership with Temple’s Institute on Disabilities offers interdisciplinary delights at Christ Church Neighborhood House in this year’s Fringe. Eileen B. Fisher reviews.

Eileen B. Fisher

Sep 18, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Philly Fringe 2023: Rough & Tumble Productions presents Magic Trash Day

A fresh twist on the dump

Through creative storytelling, contemporary dance, and clowning, Magic Trash Day tells the story of one kid’s fantastical emotional journey down into the dumps. Helen Walsh reviews.

Helen Walsh

Sep 18, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Philly Fringe 2023: Ben Grinberg and Hazem Header in Fix Me

What some say we shouldn't see

An arresting backstory grounds this able mix of contemporary dance, acrobatics, and theater from Ben Grinberg and Hazem Header in this year’s Fringe. Eileen Fisher reviews.

Eileen B. Fisher

Sep 17, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Philly Fringe 2023: James Haro presents GO AHEAD

Pop-punk, heartbreak, and belonging

James Haro joins this year’s Cannonball Festival with GO AHEAD, an interactive solo show incorporating poetry and live pop-punk on heartbreak, love, and belonging. Crystal Sparrow reviews.

Crystal Sparrow

Sep 16, 2023 · Reviews · 4 minute read