Bogosian's "Talk Radio' by New City Stage Co.

When good plays happen to green actors

Eric Bogosian's 1980s play about a radio talk-show host is as relevant as ever, even in the age of the blogosphere. But Paul Felder is simply too young for the central role.

Dec 20, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Schmucks' at the Wilma

Two comedians in search of a message

In a 1965 diner, Lenny Bruce debates Groucho Marx about the role of comedy in a free society. What emerges instead is a largely incoherent series of meandering, bloated conversations, better suited to a dissertation than an evening of theater.

Jim Rutter

Dec 16, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

"It's a Wonderful Life,' at the Prince

Back to Bedford Falls, one more time

It's a Wonderful Life, an exercise in postwar nostalgia set in a radio station, is a pleasant holiday diversion. It could have been more, even without Jimmy Stewart.

Steve Cohen

Dec 14, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Lantern's "The Government Inspector'

Terror on the Steppe: When the Government Inspector Calls

Nikolai Gogol's 1836 farce, The Government Inspector, was the first satire of modern bureaucracy— a precursor of Kafka and Beckett. David O'Connor's edgy production, with a fine cast headed by a rather astonishing Luigi Sottile, keeps the laughter coming while chills tug at the spine too.

Robert Zaller

Dec 14, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

Theatre Exile's "dark play'

Fear and loathing on the Internet

Carlos Murillo’s dark play concerns the online manipulation of a fragile teenager. But the real abuses on the Internet are far more frightening than anything in Deborah Block’s tame production.

dark play, or stories for boys. By Carlos Murillo; directed by Deborah Block. Theatre Exile production through December 7, 20087 at Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom St. (215) 922-4462 or www.theatreexile.org.

Jim Rutter

Nov 23, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

A therapist in the theater

Is there a therapist in the house?

In all my years as a family therapist, I’ve never seen a psychiatric diagnosis that explained the life longings and direction of one of my clients as well as a good play or movie. To be sure, as a theatergoer I’ve also encountered many actors who I believe have misunderstood their characters. Can art and therapy coexist? I’m about to find out.

SaraKay Smullens

Nov 19, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

"The War Party' at InterAct Theatre

Change you can't believe in

After losing her re-election campaign because she refused to fight dirty, a Republican Senator and a loyal volunteer conduct a post-mortem and weigh her future options. Vincent Delaney’s script suggests she’s both an idealist and a carping bitch. No, I didn’t believe it, either.

The War Party. By Vincent Delaney; directed by Rebecca Wright. InterAct Theatre Co. production through November 23, 2008 at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8079 or www.interacttheatre.org.

Jim Rutter

Nov 11, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

McNally's "Unusual Acts of Devotion' (2nd review)

Community of dunces

Did Terrence McNally deliberately set out to write a play about shallow people? Or did he just write a shallow play? Either way, Unusual Acts of Devotion provides ample food for thought, even for someone like me who found it annoying as hell to sit through.

Unusual Acts of Devotion. By Terrence McNally; directed by Leonard Foglia. Philadelphia Theatre Co. production through November 23, 2008 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St. (at Lombard). 215-985-0420 or www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.

Dan Rottenberg

Nov 05, 2008 · Articles · 6 minute read

"Unusual Acts of Devotion' at PTC

McNally on the roof

Terrence McNally’s newest play about five residents of a Greenwich Village apartment building is often engrossing and moving but fails to meet McNally’s usual high standards. His characters' monologues and dialogues are spoken, too often, in the voice of McNally himself.

Unusual Acts of Devotion. By Terrence McNally; directed by Leonard Foglia. Philadelphia Theatre Co. production through November 23, 2008 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St. (at Lombard). 215-985-0420 or www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.

Steve Cohen

Nov 03, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

'Psalms of a Questionable Nature' at Studio 5

What is it with women playwrights? Or,
When good productions happen to bad scripts

Psalms of a Questionable Nature provides a showcase for two remarkable actresses. But the disjointed script itself suggests a playwright who suffers from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Psalms of a Questionable Nature. By Marisa Wegrzyn; directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh. Nice People Theatre Company production through November 9, 2008 at Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 5, 825 Walnut St. (267) 909-3309 or www.nicepeopletheatre.org.

Jim Rutter

Oct 29, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read