Theater

2688 results
Page 173
Keeping secrets: Peakes and Toumanen. (Photo by Mark Garvin)

Ibsen's 'Ghosts' at People's Light

A surprisingly modern take on family secrets

Ibsen's classic drama from 1881 is relevant to today’s world. The People's Light production features naturalistic acting and a translation into contemporary American language that increase its impact.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 3 minute read
The 'Tribes' cast: Between hearing and listening.

Nina Raine’s ‘Tribes’ by PTC (1st review)

The sounds of silence

Are deaf people handicapped or blessed? Not the least of the charms of this ambitious and provocative work about language is its refusal to paint its deaf protagonist as either a saint or a victim.
Dan Rottenberg

Dan Rottenberg

Articles 4 minute read
Kevin Murray as Ste and Griffin Back as Jamie in Mauckingbird Theatre Company's production of "Beautiful Thing." Promotional image by Jill McCorkel.

Mauckingbird stages Harvey's 'Beautiful Thing'

A love story told without heart

The director does more than tell the actors where to stand; he or she is also responsible for bringing out the emotional truth of the production. The importance of this is especially clear when the material needs help.
Gary L. Day

Gary L. Day

Articles 4 minute read
Armando Batista as Elliot Ortiz and Maia DeSanti as Yazmin Ortiz in Arden Theatre Company's production of 'Water by the Spoonful.' Photo by Mark Garvin.

Hudes's 'Water by the Spoonful' at the Arden

The dissonance of family connections

This is the second part of a trilogy about Philadelphia's Puerto Rican community by Philly native Quiara Alegría Hudes. Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue, presented last year on the Independence Stage above the Walnut Street Theatre, was the first part of the trilogy; the third, The Happiest Song Plays Last , will be produced in New York on February 11.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 5 minute read
Jessie Mueller as Carole King in 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical'

'Beautiful' and 'A Night with Janis Joplin' on Broadway

A winning formula for jukebox musicals

Why has “formulaic” become a damning word in the theater? Formulas work – especially when it comes to Broadway musicals.

Carol Rocamora

Articles 5 minute read
We will rock you. And blind you. And deafen you. (Photo by Paul Kolnik)

'We Will Rock You' at the Kimmel Center

Survival skills for the modern theatergoer

When you’re greeted by a sign that warns about the use of strobe lights and ushers carry pockets full of foam earplugs, you know you’re in for a challenging theatrical experience. When did going to the theater become an extreme sport?
Naomi Orwin

Naomi Orwin

Articles 6 minute read
Hiddleston as Coriolanus: The perils of revenge.

Shakespeare's three kings, in London

London productions of three plays by the Bard offer lessons for contemporary leaders who are willing to listen.

Carol Rocamora

Articles 5 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.

David Ingram, Kevin Jackson, Ashley Everage, Marcia Saunders: talking at, not to, each other. (Photo by Alexander Iziliaev)

Lisa D'Amour's 'Cherokee' at the Wilma

Going back to nature to find one's true self

Cherokee doesn’t provide easy answers. Loyalties to one another, to oneself, to one’s tribe are challenged. Do you go where you’re happy? Do you do what’s expected of you?
Naomi Orwin

Naomi Orwin

Articles 3 minute read
The courage to face linebackers — and a theater audience. (Photo: Steven M. Falk/philly.com.)

Mike Boryla’s ‘Disappearing Quarterback’

The most dangerous game (except for all the other games)

Mike Boryla, the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, has a story to tell, even if he’s not much of a storyteller himself. The story is what professional football does to the men who play the game, and what happens to them after they retire.
Dan Rottenberg

Dan Rottenberg

Articles 4 minute read
Mojo cast

Brendan Coyle in 'Mojo' in London

From Downton Abbey to seedy Soho

Every member of this stellar all-male ensemble gives a finely chiseled, sharply defined performance, rendering these characters unforgettable and creating a definitive portrait of a vivid, colorful, violent era in modern urban history.

Carol Rocamora

Articles 4 minute read