Reviews

903 results
Page 88
A chronicle of the best public defender office in the country. (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘The Defender,’ by Edward W. Madeira Jr. and Michael D. Schaffer

If you cannot afford an attorney…

‘The Defender: The Battle to Protect the Rights of the Accused in Philadelphia’ traces the history of Philly’s famous public defender office, and the challenges it still faces. Pamela Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Reviews 5 minute read
Carrying each other through illness and sorrow: Shawn Cusseaux and Skyler Lubin in Manuel Vignoulle’s ‘Heal.’ (Photo by Daniel Madoff.)

BalletX presents Tsai Hsi Hung, Manuel Vignoulle, and Francesca Harper

Dancing in the bubble

BalletX continues its season of world-premiere short dance films, with a third installment featuring choreographers Tsai Hsi Hung, Manuel Vignoulle, and Francesca Harper. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Reviews 4 minute read
A worthy launch for what promises to be a fruitful relationship for oboist Philippe Tondre and the Philadelphia Orchestra. (Photo by Jeff Fusco.)

The Philadelphia Orchestra presents its solo debut of new principal oboist Philippe Tondre

The most elegant of instruments

In his Philadelphia Orchestra solo debut, new principal oboist Phillipe Tondre offered a sweet and lyrical rendition of Mozart’s most celebrated work for oboe. Linda Holt reviews.
Linda Holt

Linda Holt

Reviews 3 minute read
Intense and expressive: Caroline Clay in ‘Etta and Ella on the Upper West Side.’ (Image courtesy of Round House Theatre.)

Round House Theatre and McCarter present Adrienne Kennedy’s ‘Etta and Ella’

Missing Kennedy’s energy

Round House Theatre and McCarter’s Work of Adrienne Kennedy: Inspiration & Influence festival concludes with the stream of ‘Etta and Ella on the Upper West Side,’ a static production that undermines the playwright’s complex text. Hanae Mason reviews.
Hanae Mason

Hanae Mason

Reviews 3 minute read

Sign up for our newsletter

All of the week's new articles, all in one place. Sign up for the free weekly BSR newsletters, and don't miss a conversation.

Playing together with practiced ease: violists Misha Amory and Hsin-Yun Huang. (Image courtesy of PCMS.)

The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents a program for violas and piano

Voilà violas

With a program starring violists Hsin-Yun Huang and Misha Armory and pianist Thomas Sauer, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society spotlighted the alto voice of the string family with an inventive online program. Margaret Darby reviews.
Margaret Darby

Margaret Darby

Reviews 3 minute read
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