"The Shape of Things' at Plays and Players

In Neil LaBute’s play, The Shape of Things, a gorgeous art student seduces an unattractive, unsuspecting young man as her thesis project. Is she corrupted by her acts? Or do some beautiful and vital beings live exempt from consequences?

The Shape of Things. By Neil LaBute; directed by Carol Laratonda. Plays and Players production August 6-10, 2008 at Plays and Players Theater, 1710 Delancey St. www.plays

Steve Antinoff

Aug 12, 2008 · Articles · 6 minute read

"Shakespeare's R & J,' by Mauckingbird Thea

The play within the play makes Shakespeare’s R & J a pure pleasure to watch. But it outshines its larger context.

Shakespeare’s R & J. By Joe Calarco; directed by Peter Reynolds. Mauckingbird Theatre Company production through August 23, 2008 at Adrienne Theatre Mainstage, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 923-8909 or www.mauckingbirdtheatreco.org.

Bob Cronin

Aug 09, 2008 · Articles · 2 minute read

Laurence Fishburne as "Thurgood'

Laurence Fishburne's one-man portrayal of the great civil rights lawyer makes for an exciting and meaningful evening. But sometimes it's hard to distinguish between the actor and his character.

Thurgood. By George Stevens Jr.; directed by Leonard Foglia, Jr. Through August 16, 2008 at Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St., New York. NY. (800) 432-7250 or www.thurgoodbroadway.com.

Bob Cronin

Jul 26, 2008 · Articles · 2 minute read

Commonwealth Classic's "Taming of the Shrew'

In an age of gender equality, can you watch The Taming of the Shrew without raising your blood pressure? In his Philadelphia directorial debut, Damon Bonetti dodges controversy by telling his audience: Relax and enjoy— you're back in the '50s.

The Taming of the Shrew. By William Shakespeare. Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company outdoor production through August 1, 2008, at various locations around Philadelphia. (610) 202-7878 or

Jim Rutter

Jul 22, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Jamaica' revived at the Prince

The 1957 Harold Arlen-Yip Harburg musical Jamaica was a potentially rich broth spoiled by two many meddlesome cooks. The Prince Music Theatre has nobly attempted to capture the creators’ original vision. But maybe Jamaica was fatally flawed to begin with.

Jamaica. Music by Harold Arlen; lyrics by Yip Harburg. Through June 22, 2008 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. (215) 569-9700 or

Steve Cohen

Jul 03, 2008 · Articles · 7 minute read

"Rwanda' and "Rachel Corrie'

Ordinarily, political theater is to theater as military music is to music. But in Rwanda and Rachel Corrie, respectively, People’s Light and InterAct Theatre have come up with two exceptions.

I Have Before Me A Remarkable Document Given To Me By A Young Lady From Rwanda. By Sonja Linden; directed by David Bradley, Through June 29, 2008 at People’s Light and Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern. (610) 644-3500 or

Bob Cronin

Jun 15, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

PTC's "The Happiness lecture' (2nd review)

Bill Irwin’s The Happiness Lecture is an exhilarating experience— simultaneously a showcase for the comic actor’s extraordinary craft and a celebration of clowning with some excellent Philadelphia talent.

The Happiness Lecture. Conceived and performed by Bill Irwin; world premiere by Philadelphia Theater Company Through June 22, 2008 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 230 S. Broad St. (215) 895-0420 or

Steve Cohen

Jun 10, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

InterAct's "House Divided' (3rd review)

House Divided is a well-crafted play about a Jewish-American family that has broken apart over religion, politics and the Jewish state. This is a rich area for exploration. I just wish it flowed more naturally.

House Divided. By Larry Loebell; directed by Seth Rozin. InterAct Theatre Company production through June 22, 2008 at the Adrienne, mainstage, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8079 or www.InterActTheatre.org

Steve Cohen

Jun 10, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

PTC's "The Happiness Lecture' (1st review)

In an evening of performance art and clowning, Bill Irwin and a motley company of fools explore the nature of dreaming, theatrical reality and identity with bellyaching laughs along the way— an evening of pure delight.

The Happiness Lecture. Conceived and performed by Bill Irwin; world premiere by Philadelphia Theater Company Through June 22, 2008 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 230 S. Broad St. (215) 895-0420 or

Bob Cronin

Jun 08, 2008 · Articles · 2 minute read

InterAct's "House Divided' (2nd review)

In this intelligent and gripping production, playwright Larry Loebell treats current issues in the Middle East with the importance they deserve—by showing how they too often direct and distort the attitudes and actions of an individual’s entire life.

House Divided. By Larry Loebell; directed by Seth Rozin. InterAct Theatre Company production through June 22, 2008 at the Adrienne, mainstage, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8079 or

Jim Rutter

Jun 03, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read