Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre's 2014-2015 season

The Bard, Philly-style

The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre is the only local company exclusively devoted to Shakespeare, and it consistently produces lively, well-executed treatments of its chosen repertoire.

Tom Purdom

Jul 30, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Bruce Graham's 'Stella and Lou' at People's Light

Lonely hearts in South Philly

Stella and Lou is good, not-too-heavy summer fare, a play with humor that also offers food for thought and characters who stay with you after the lights have come up.

Bill Murphy

Jul 24, 2015 · Articles · 2 minute read

'Lulu’s Golden Shoes' by Quiara Alegría Hudes

If a whore screams does she make a sound?

What is it like for a young girl growing up in the barrio when her role models are whores and abused women? Can she change the plot that’s been written for her and become the superhero of her own story?

Naomi Orwin

Jul 21, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

2015 Contemporary American Theater Festival

Where new plays thrive

A professional company that only produces new plays celebrates its 25th year with an ambitious but uneven quintet of plays.

Mark Cofta

Jul 21, 2015 · Articles · 6 minute read

Kristen Schier on the Commonwealth Classic 'Tempest'

Shakespeare and improv: The perfect match?

Shakespeare, often viewed by the general public as the most sacred, highfalutin form of drama we have, is also possibly our richest and even most necessary ground for improvisation. Kristen Schier explains why.

Alaina Johns

Jul 14, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

Audiences behaving badly

A comedy of manners

Where is Emily Post when we need her? There’s a crisis in the theater — and it’s not on the stage.

Carol Rocamora

Jul 14, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Beckett’s 'Happy Days' at the Flea Theater

Beckett at his best

When a cast and director are in synch, anything and everything is possible. Director Andrei Belgrader understands the precarious balance of tragedy and comedy in Beckett’s Happy Days.

Carol Rocamora

Jul 04, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

'Hands Up' by Flashpoint Theatre Company

Fuck you! And fuck this shit!

The six testaments of Hands Up are connected by the theme of uncertainty, with each character revealing his particular stain.

Ardencie Hall-Karambe

Jun 30, 2015 · Articles · 2 minute read

Sondheim's 'Passion' at the Arden (second review)

When feelings crack you open

In Passion, Sondheim is saying that love comes from sources that seem unlikely and at times when you least expect it — there’s no logic to it.

Steve Cohen

Jun 23, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

'Murder for Two' at PTC

It takes two, baby

I wonder if the dazzling performer Kyle Branzel loved the old movies in which Jerry Lewis played multiple characters as much as I did.

Rhonda Davis

Jun 23, 2015 · Articles · 1 minute read