Theater

2689 results
Page 253
950 Churchill

In defense of Toby Zinman

Many readers find the Inquirer’s theater critic Toby Zinman harsh and joyless. Maybe that’s because her standards are higher then theirs.
Jim Rutter

Jim Rutter

Articles 3 minute read
952 lesmispanaro

"Les Miserables' at the Walnut (2nd review)

This Walnut production takes Les Miz seriously. Director Mark Clements relishes its emotional scenes, and his actors dig into them with commitment.

Les Miserables. Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; book by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel; lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer; directed by Mark Clements; based on Victor Hugo’s novel. Through August 3, 2008 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., (215) 574-3550 or
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 3 minute read
943 Eurydice Janson

My problem with Toby Zinman

I’m saddened by Toby Zinman’s joyless spirit and her apparent lack of enthusiasm in her reviews for the Inquirer— most recently the Wilma’s widely acclaimed production of Eurydice. And why does the Inquirer seem to take music more seriously than theater?
Jonathan M. Stein

Jonathan M. Stein

Articles 5 minute read

'Our Town' at the Arden (3rd review)

In the Arden’s Old City-oriented production of Our Town, director Terrence Nolen delivers a moving, evocative and utterly charming evening of theater, even if it strays from Thornton Wilder’s original vision.

Our Town. By Thornton Wilder; directed by Terrence J. Nolen. Through June 22, 2008 at the Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second Street. (215) 922-1122 or ardentheatre.org.
Bob Cronin

Bob Cronin

Articles 3 minute read
939 ourtown2

"Our Town' at the Arden (1st review)

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, a play meant to challenge nostalgic illusions about American small-town life, is made instead into a celebration of them in the Arden Theatre’s wrap-up of its 20th anniversary season. Linking Grover’s Corners to Philadelphia itself only makes the city look provincial.

Our Town. By Thornton Wilder; directed by Terrence J. Nolen. Through June 22, 2008 at the Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second Street. (215) 922-1122
Robert Zaller

Robert Zaller

Articles 6 minute read
940 ourtown10

"Our Town' at the Arden (2nd review)

Our Town has become a staple of high school and college theater groups that emphasize its surface artifices without probing Thornton Wilder’s deeper convictions. Thanks to director Terence J. Nolen and a wonderful cast, in this production the play is revealed in all its dimensions.

Our Town. By Thornton Wilder; directed by Terrence J. Nolen. Through June 22, 2008 at the Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second Street. (215) 922-1122 or

Anne R. Fabbri

Articles 3 minute read

"Our Town' at the Arden (4th review)

Our Town in Old City – the title used in the Arden Theatre’s advertising– is a celebration of community. It’s also a memorable theatrical experience, even more for its presentation than for the script itself.

Our Town. By Thornton Wilder; directed by Terrence J. Nolen. Through June 22, 2008 at the Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second Street. (215) 922-1122 or ardentheatre.org.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 5 minute read
931 Eurydice Sandoval

"Eurydice' at the Wilma (4th review)

The play’s not really the thing in the Wilma’s final season production, but Blanka Zizka’s staging— a brilliant ensemble of music, dance, and drama— renders it more than worth the price of admission.

Eurydice. By Sarah Ruhl; directed by Blanka Zizka. Through June 1, 2008 at Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St. (at Spruce). (215) 546-7824 or www.wilmatheater.org.
Robert Zaller

Robert Zaller

Articles 7 minute read

"Les Miserables' at the Walnut (1st review)

I cringed at the notion of seeing Victor Hugo’s idealistic saga strained through a Broadway musical meat grinder. To my surprise, Hugo’s vision comes across almost as powerfully on stage as it does in his novel. Maybe even more.

Les Miserables. Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; book by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel; lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer; directed by Mark Clements; based on Victor Hugo’s novel. Through August 3, 2008 at Walnut Street Theatre,
Dan Rottenberg

Dan Rottenberg

Articles 4 minute read

Vanity House's "Phèdre'

Theater aficionados or purists may well want to travel to Manayunk to see this brilliant translation, as well as Brian McCann’s performance. Other theatergoers would do better to stay downtown.

Phèdre. By Jean Racine; translated from the French by Paul Schmidt; directed by William Braak. Vanity House production through May 24, 2008 at 4373 Main St., Manayunk. (610) 955-9282 or www.vanityhouse.org.
Jim Rutter

Jim Rutter

Articles 3 minute read