Stalin meets George III in London

Between tyranny and lunacy

Two plays in London about Stalin, who died nearly 60 years ago? Maybe it's taken that long to appreciate the full measure of Uncle Joe's tyranny — over Russians in general and artists in particular.

Carol Rocamora

Mar 24, 2012 · Articles · 7 minute read

"Fela!' at Academy of Music (1st review)

Cardboard hero

Fela Anikulapo Kuti became famous first for his catchy music, then as an advocate for human rights in Nigeria. This manipulative if entertaining tribute strips the real Fela of his flaws and contradictions, leaving us with a show bereft of any real drama.

Steve Cohen

Mar 24, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Curse of the Starving Class' at the Wilma (2nd review)

California surreal

Sam Shepard's Curse of the Starving Class is a fascinating juxtaposition of realism and surrealism. His characters aren't the type I'd hang out with, and their actions are off-putting to the extreme. Yet there's something mesmerizing about their struggles.

Steve Cohen

Mar 17, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Cyrano' at the Arden (1st review)

A Cyrano for our time

The polymath playwright Michael Hollinger has done it again. This time he takes a too-familiar century-old classic tragicomedy and infuses it with new allusions and linguistic flights of fancy suitable for the 21st Century.

Marshall A. Ledger

Mar 17, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

'Curse of the Starving Class' at the Wilma (1st review)

Day of reckoning

Eastern urbanites may scratch their heads over the terminally dysfunctional rural family portrayed in Curse of the Starving Class. But Sam Shepard's caricature offers a profound allegory of the unintended consequences of the opening of the American West, more than a century after there was no more West left to open.

Dan Rottenberg

Mar 15, 2012 · Articles · 7 minute read

Lantern's "Romeo and Juliet' (3rd review)

Our grief counselors are standing by….

The Lantern's straightforward production of Romeo and Juliet got me thinking: What would become of these young lovers today, when instead of turning to a priest they could seek out Dr. Phil?

Jackie Schifalacqua

Mar 13, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Lantern's "Romeo and Juliet' (2nd review)

On the mean streets of Verona

The Lantern's Romeo and Juliet is an American production in the best sense of the word: fresh, brisk and inventive, with insightful direction by Charles McMahon and an able and energetic cast.

Robert Zaller

Mar 13, 2012 · Articles · 7 minute read

Albee's "Lady From Dubuque' on Broadway

Edward Albee and the blessings of patience

Amid the slings and arrows of callous critics, Edward Albee has persevered at his craft for 52 years. Now Jane Alexander has lifted his difficult play about the angel of death into the land of surreal, provocative black comedy.

Carol Rocamora

Mar 10, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Lantern's 'Romeo and Juliet' (1st review)

Teenagers' romance

In the Lantern's first production of Romeo and Juliet, director Charles McMahon presents Shakespeare's story exactly as it ought to be: as the meeting, wooing and untimely death of two impulsive teenagers.

Alaina Johns

Mar 10, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Shepard's "Fool For Love' in Norristown

Breaking up is hard to do

Sam Shepard's unhappy and self-absorbed couple in Fool For Love grated on my nerves until the denouement, when I discovered the method lurking behind Shepard's misery.

Steve Cohen

Mar 06, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read