Annie Baker's "Body Awareness' at the Wilma (1st review)

Nobody's perfect

Annie Baker's comedy, Body Awareness, pounces eagerly on its too-predictable targets, and the laughs come a bit cheaply despite good ensemble work by its cast. Theater should ask, and deliver, more. Body Awareness. By Annie Baker; Anne Kauffman directed. Through February 5, 2012 at the Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad Street. (215) 546-7824 or www.wilmatheater.org.

Robert Zaller

Jan 14, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Charlotte's Web' at the Arden (1st review)

A spider your grandchildren can love

My seven-year-old grandson had plenty of opportunities to interact with the Arden's marvelous cast of actors as animals. The grownups had a good time too. Charlotte's Web. By Joseph Robinette, from the book by E.B. White; Whit MacLaughlin directed. Through February 12, 2012 at Arden Theatre, Haas Stage, 40 N. Second St. (215) 922-1122 or www.ardentheatre.org.

Merilyn Jackson

Jan 13, 2012 · Articles · 1 minute read

"Hair' revival at Academy of Music

Radical for the '60s, passé for 2012?

Hair, that '60s celebration of all things hippie, is closing its revival tour just when the Occupy movement threatens to make it relevant all over again.

Steve Cohen

Jan 08, 2012 · Articles · 2 minute read

1812's "This Is the Week That Is"

Never mind the week. What year is this?

Just when presidential politics are turning ridiculous, Philadelphia's resident satirical troupe turns soft and fuzzy.

Steve Cohen

Dec 31, 2011 · Articles · 1 minute read

Billington's assault on absurdism

Absurdism isn't relevant? Don't be absurd!

Abdurdism, a European artistic response to the senseless horrors of World War II, has lost its relevance, according to critic Michael Billington. Yet from Greece to the Tea Party to the Occupy movement, millions of people today wander in aimless stupor like the hoboes in Beckett's Waiting For Godot.

Jim Rutter

Dec 31, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

Vaclav Havel's legacy (2nd commentary)

David had his slingshot, Havel had his pen

As a human rights activist who helped overthrow Communism, Vaclav Havel's political legacy seems assured. But the question remains: What is this playwright's dramatic legacy?

Carol Rocamora

Dec 27, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Vaclav Havel's legacy (1st commentary)

Where do people go? Reflections on Václav Havel's Leaving

Who was the late Czech playwright/politician Vaclav Havel, and what was he trying to tell us? His message is both singular and universal: We have our leaving, our coming, our being and dying; we are in part witnesses, actors, and dramaturges.

Martin Beck Matustik

Dec 25, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Theatre Horizon's "Voices of Christmas'

Just like the ones I used to know

Unlike most story-driven musicals of this season, Voices of Christmas is a casual cabaret evening of songs and personal stories: low-key, introspective, nostalgic, reminiscent. Inevitably I found my thoughts turning to bygone people and things that once gave me great personal pleasure.

Steve Cohen

Dec 20, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Titus' in New York, "Carnage' on screen

All the world's an abattoir

Five centuries apart, Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus and Yazmina Reza's Carnage wallow in violence that's so outrageous it's actually entertaining. If you think you've never contemplated eating the entrails of yours sons, these and similar works will cure you of your illusions.

Carol Rocamora

Dec 20, 2011 · Articles · 6 minute read

"Jersey Boys' at the Forrest

One jukebox musical worth seeing

Jersey Boys, based on the career of the Four Seasons, has succeeded where other so-called jukebox musicals have failed. Let's consider why.

Steve Cohen

Dec 20, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read