Theater

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Page 187
Bellwoar (left), Martello: Parental cruelty.

McDonagh's "Beauty Queen of Leenane' at the Lantern (1st review)

Ireland's answer to Where's Poppa?

What is it about modern Ireland that produces so many playwrights intent on cutting through that charming Gaelic sentimentality to expose the human brutality underneath?

Marshall A. Ledger

Articles 5 minute read
Anthony, Aubrey Mae Davis: Spielberg knew better.

"Catch Me If You Can' on national tour

Calling Professor Harold Hill

Some musicals about con men succeed (think The Music Man); others, like this one, fail— because complex scams aren't easily explained in songs competing with a blaring orchestra.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 3 minute read
Burstyn, Ben Rappaport, Grace: Beneath the surface, not so idyllic.

Inge's "Picnic,' revived in New York

A woman's place in Eisenhower's America

Behind William Inge's sunny, gentle slice of small-town Americana from 1953 lies another, quite sobering story. A woman's life in that sweet little Kansas town was rigid and restrictive, to say the least.

Carol Rocamora

Articles 6 minute read
Meehan (left), Czajkowski: Neil Simon, warmed over. (Photo: Alexander Iziliaev.)

Leslye Headland's "Assistance' at the Wilma

O, to be young, shallow and exploited

Working for a tyrannical boss is no fun. Neither is Leslye Headland's tired attempt to wring comedy from the situation. Assistance. By Leslye Headland; David Kennedy directed. Through February 3, 2013 at the Wilma Theater, Broad and Spruce Sts. (215) 546-7824 or wilmatheater.org.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 2 minute read
Hathaway (left), Jackman: Sighs and sobs.

"Les Misérables': Stage vs. screen

Two faces of Les Miz

The new film version of Les Misérables reminds us of what the classic stage musical mostly forgets: that the theme of Victor Hugo's novel is poverty and suffering.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 4 minute read
McClure: Artists vs. authorities.

"Chaplin: The Musical,' on Broadway

You have the right to remain silent: The rise and fall of Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin thrived in the silent films and resisted “talkies” for years. Yet when he did speak, his career took a fatal turn.

Carol Rocamora

Articles 5 minute read
Warm spirits and close harmonies.

"Winter Wonderettes' at Norristown

Was Santa Claus Jewish?

The 11th Hour Theatre Company's holiday-season show got me thinking: How come virtually all secular Christmas songs have been written by Jews?
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 1 minute read
Cox (left), Maroulis: Rational insanity.

"Jekyll and Hyde' at the Forrest

Why Dr. Jekyll cracked

Robert Louis Stevenson's original Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde introduced the concept of schizophrenia without providing much plot or motivation. That deficiency has been remedied by an inventive musical that offers a soaring, hummable score, to boot.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 3 minute read
Pacino: Willy Loman, with profanity.

"Glengarry Glen Ross' in NY revival

The rat race, from Miller to Mamet

The current superb revival of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross raises a curious question: Has nothing changed in American business ethics since Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman?

Carol Rocamora

Articles 6 minute read
Howet, Scofield: When does the clash of ideas start?

"Freud's Last Session' at the Arden (2nd review)

From World War II to Newtown

The last thing you might expect from an encounter between the founder of psychoanalysis and a great Christian apologist is a snore. Freud's Last Session. By Mark St. Germain; Ian Merrill Peakes directed. Through December 23, 2012 at the Arden Theater's Arcadia Stage, 40 N. Second St. (215) 922-1122 or www.ardentheatre.org.

Marshall A. Ledger

Articles 3 minute read