Beckett's "Waiting For Godot,' by EgoPo

New life for Beckett's hobos

Careful, astute direction by Brenna Geffers of EgoPo Productions resurrects the bones of Beckett's existential classic, Waiting For Godot, into a drama that's fresher and more exciting than the raft of “new” plays currently on Philadelphia stages.

Mar 23, 2010 · Articles · 4 minute read

"The Book of Grace' in New York

An absence of grace

Suzan-Lori Parks's new play, The Book of Grace, is determined to bludgeon every shred of hope, optimism and cheerfulness out of us until we succumb to her grim view of human beings, event outcomes and life generally.

Toby Zinman

Mar 20, 2010 · Articles · 3 minute read

Straight talk about "Romeo and Juliet' (2nd review)

Overblown emotions? Surely. A great love story? Give me a break

I wish I could tear up over Romeo and Juliet like everyone else. And I have— when I was 14. But a more adult perspective on partnership has squelched my enjoyment. Why have we enshrined the fickle, maudlin, airheaded young Romeo as the ultimate synonym for “lover”? Romeo and Juliet. By William Shakespeare; directed by Matt Pfeiffer. Through April 11, 2010 at Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St. (215) 922-1122 or www.ardentheatre.org.

Alaina Johns

Mar 16, 2010 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Language Rooms' at the Wilma (1st review)

Immigrant angst: The sorrow and the comedy

Language Rooms, Yussef El Guindi's fierce comic fantasy, tackles many realities of Arab”“American life. It would be funnier if it moved faster.

Lesley Valdes

Mar 16, 2010 · Articles · 4 minute read

Mary Martello's "Happily Ever After'

Sleeping Beauty snores!

The charming Mary Martello's cute idea— what happens to fairy-tale heroines after they find their charming princes?— is undermined by a weak script that's too often repetitive and obvious.

Dan Rottenberg

Mar 11, 2010 · Articles · 2 minute read

"Romeo and Juliet' at the Arden (1st review)

Romeo and Juliet: The dream and the nightmare

Matt Pfeiffer's direction of the Arden's Romeo and Juliet bathes us in emotional intensity. He also strips the young lovers' tragedy of any romance in order to cast a disapproving glare on Shakespeare's text itself. Romeo and Juliet. By William Shakespeare; directed by Matt Pfeiffer. Through April 11, 2010 at Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St. (215) 922-1122 or www.ardentheatre.org.

Jim Rutter

Mar 09, 2010 · Articles · 3 minute read

Bill Cain's "Equivocation,' Off-Broadway

Playwright's predicament

No equivocating about Equivocation: This superb Off-Broadway production of Bill Cain's smart, complex play, directed by the brilliant Garry Hynes, satisfies on every level— emotional, intellectual, theatrical. It's funny, too.

Toby Zinman

Mar 09, 2010 · Articles · 3 minute read

"A Behanding in Spokane' on Broadway

Watered-down lunacy, saved by Chris Walken

A Behanding in Spokane is less provocative and less political than Martin McDonagh's previous brand of Irish lunacy. But with the wildly unsettling presence of Christopher Walken, it's a great show.

Toby Zinman

Mar 06, 2010 · Articles · 2 minute read

"Annie' shows her age

We know the Depression's depressing….

Annie's recent return to the Merriam provided an inadvertent reminder: The Great Depression has become ancient history, especially when we have a pretty good depression right here and now.

Jennifer Baldino Bonett

Mar 02, 2010 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Coupla White Chicks' by New City Stage (2nd review)

When the audience is the problem

John Ford Noonan's play about two women trying to salvage lives for themselves out of their wrecked marriages offers a forward-looking insight into the shortcomings of sisterhood. The night I attended, it also offered insight into the damage caused by a single boorish audience member.

Jim Rutter

Feb 16, 2010 · Articles · 3 minute read