'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' by Theatre Exile (1st review)

The ghosts of Taylor and Burton

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor’s quarreling ghosts must be hovering somewhere over Philadelphia: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and two other Taylor-Burton vehicles are either currently or recently on local stages.

Kathryn Osenlund

Apr 26, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

'The Jungle Book' at the Arden

Learning from the animals

The laws of the jungle, it seems, can be more forgiving than the laws of man. But children still have to learn the rules of the world they live in so they can survive and thrive.

Naomi Orwin

Apr 25, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

'Wolf Hall' and 'The Audience'

Brits on Broadway

With Thomas Cromwell and Elizabeth II, Britannia rules on Broadway, at least for this season.

Carol Rocamora

Apr 21, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

Thomas Gibbons's 'Uncanny Valley' at InterAct (second review)

Unnatural scenes in 'Uncanny Valley'

As a warning about technological innovations, Uncanny Valley is a false alarm. Its development of character is as mechanical as its subject matter.

Steve Cohen

Apr 21, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

Quintessence production of 'The Three Musketeers'

Diving into submerged sexuality

The engaging Quintessence production of The Three Musketeers makes the Musketeers more appealing than Dumas intended. As written, they’re a bunch of hair-trigger Hells Angels ready to fight at the slightest provocation and thoroughly contemptuous of their social inferiors.

Lynn Hoffman

Apr 20, 2015 · Articles · 2 minute read

'Bonhoeffer's Cost' by Beacon Theatre

High drama about the price of commitment

While Bonhoeffer’s theology is important, we remember him today for his courage in seeing through the Nazis' lies and his willingness to die so that others might live. While it asks penetrating questions, this play is ultimately about Bonhoeffer the man.

Victor L. Schermer

Apr 19, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

'The Hairy Ape' (1st review) and 'Penelope'

Men, cages, and the unattainable woman

When a woman is responsible for men’s actions, do they always behave badly?

Naomi Orwin

Apr 18, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

Jeff Talbott's ‘The Submission’ at Quince Productions

Unmasking hidden prejudice

Playwright Jeff Talbott tackles a tough subject, and he should be given credit for what he was trying to say. Unfortunately, the way he said it leaves much to be desired: The Submission is not a particularly well-written play.

Gary L. Day

Apr 14, 2015 · Articles · 2 minute read

Plays are getting shorter

A lament for lost leisurely length

Norma Desmond famously said that she was still big, but it's the pictures that got small. That’s what’s been happening with theater, too.

Steve Cohen

Apr 14, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Thomas Gibbons's 'Uncanny Valley' at InterAct (1st review)

The future is not us

Can billionaires buy their future — and ours? In Tom Gibbons’s new play, they’re doing it already.

Robert Zaller

Apr 12, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read