Reviews

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Authority and bon vivant: mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton plays Julia Child in Opera Philadelphia’s ‘Bon Appétit!.’ (Image courtesy of Opera Philadelphia.)

Opera Philadelphia presents Lee Hoiby and Mark Shulgasser’s ‘Bon Appétit!’

A musical piece of cake

A benefit performance of the Julia Child-inspired ‘Bon Appétit!’ for Opera Philadelphia highlights the arresting artistry and comic chops of mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 3 minute read
Dances of the Animals: Bob Wiemken plays “The Goat’s Masque” on the douçaine. (Photo by David Lowe.)

Piffaro presents ‘Music for 12th Night’

Masked for the masque

Piffaro’s ‘Music for 12th Night’ showcased 17th-century mystery, mastery, and music. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Reviews 5 minute read
Frank discussions on race took on new meaning for these authors. (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘Do Right By Me,’ by Valerie I. Harrison and Kathryn Peach D’Angelo

Adoption in black and white

Two local educators use their friendship and their expertise to explore the sensitive topic of transracial adoption in ‘Do Right By Me: Learning to Raise Black Children in White Spaces.’ Pamela Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Reviews 4 minute read
Does your job make you? (Image courtesy of Coffee House Press.)

‘Temporary’ by Hilary Leichter

Working identity

‘Temporary’ is the tale of a temporary worker trying to find permanence, a quest that will resonate with American workers, especially in the pandemic. Elisa Shoenberger reviews.
Elisa Shoenberger

Elisa Shoenberger

Reviews 3 minute read
A chess journey from mid-century America still resonates today: Harry Melling and Anya Taylor-Joy in ‘The Queen’s Gambit.’ (Image credit Phil Bray/Netflix 2020.)

Netflix presents ‘The Queen's Gambit’

A beautiful game

Netflix’s ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ is a hit, and as a woman who loves chess, Christina Anthony knows why the story rings true.
Christina Anthony

Christina Anthony

Reviews 4 minute read
Where does public health meet medical care? (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘The Health of the Commonwealth’ by James E. Higgins

Tales of epidemics past

‘The Health of the Commonwealth’ recounts 250 years of medical practice in Pennsylvania—a particularly relevant slice of history in the age of Covid-19. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Reviews 5 minute read
Giving voice to a Ghostly little book: Stephen Pelinski plays Jacob Marley and the Ghost of Christmas Present. (Image courtesy of REP.)

Resident Ensemble Players present ‘A Christmas Carol’

An Ebenezer for your ears

'A Christmas Carol' is an onstage holiday staple, but this year, have a listen thanks to the audio production from the University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Reviews 4 minute read

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Inviting viewers to join the story: Renea Brown as Sarah Crew in ‘The Little Princess.’ (Image courtesy of Quintessence.)

Quintessence presents Suli Holum and Priyanka Shetty’s ‘The Little Princess’

An interactive 'Princess'

Quintessence Theatre revisits a beloved childhood narrative for the holidays with its own interactive adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s ‘A Little Princess.’ Mina Reinckens reviews.
Mina Reinckens

Mina Reinckens

Reviews 3 minute read
Lesbians: they’re just like you! Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis as Abby and Harper in ‘Happiest Season.’ (Photo by Jojo Whilden/Hulu.)

Hulu presents Clea Duvall’s ‘Happiest Season'

Heteronormative happiness

It’s exciting to see mainstream platforms making and promoting Christmas romances telling queer stories, but Hulu’s ‘Happiest Season’ is run-of-the-mill holiday cheese. Michelle Nugent reviews.
Michelle Nugent

Michelle Nugent

Reviews 3 minute read
Taylor Mac is resplendent in a show that urges us to find sustenance in our chosen families. (Photo by Little Fang.)

StanfordLive presents ‘Taylor Mac’s Holiday Sauce… Pandemic!’

Reality, divinity, nativity

2020 Ibsen Award-winner Taylor Mac celebrates the dysfunction of the holidays in ‘Holiday Sauce…Pandemic!,’ a vaudeville performance now available to stream at home. Melissa Strong reviews.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Reviews 5 minute read