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

May 20, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Eurydice' at the Wilma (3rd review)

Sarah Ruhl’s re-invention of the Eurydice myth is a consistently moving meditation on the enduring bond between father and daughter— one that’s circumstantially altered by marriage but not fundamentally changed over time. In Blanka Zizka’s sensitive direction, the play unfolds in a series of visually provocative, poetically touching moments.

Eurydice. By Sarah Ruhl; directed by Blanka Zizka. Through June 1, 2008 at Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St. (at

Jim Rutter

May 13, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Eurydice' at the Wilma (1st review)

In a spectacular production, the inventive playwright Sarah Ruhl transports her mythical characters across the River Styx into the land of the dead. She’s a dazzling sleight-of-hand magician, but her wacky suspensions of logic take some getting used to.

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.

Steve Cohen

May 10, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Eurydice' at the Wilma (2nd review)

Sarah Ruhl’s ambitious concept for Eurydice doesn’t quite fulfill its promise. Under Blanka Zizka’s direction, this is a visually striking production with staging that symbolizes the passage of time and eternity, and sometime seems like eternity.

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.wilmathe

Anne R. Fabbri

May 10, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Pericles' and "Romeo and Juliet' (2nd rev

By unearthing the neglected Pericles, the Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival has scored two notable achievements. The much more familiar Romeo and Juliet features an appealing pair of impetuous and excitable lovers.

Pericles and Romeo and Juliet. By William Shakespeare; directed by Carmen Khan. In repertory through May 18, 2008, at Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom St. (215) 496-8001 or

Steve Cohen

May 10, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

Theatre Exile's "Bug'

Grace Gonglewski— as an agitated victim, for a change—and Matt Saunders are spectacular in this effective rendition of a play meant to scare the pants off us.

Bug. By Tracy Letts; directed by Matt Pfeiffer. Theatre Exile production through May 18, 2008 at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. (near Second and Market). (215) 922-4462 or www.theatreexile.org.

Steve Cohen

May 03, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

Corneille's "The Illusion' at Villanova

Tony Kushner’s free rendering of Pierre Corneille’s Baroque fantasy, The Illusion, captures the spirit if not the diction of the original in Harriet Power’s fine staging, with a few mordant modern touches thrown in. It’s a reminder that some of our best regional theater can be found on university stages.

The Illusion. By Pierre Corneille, adapted by Tony Kushner; directed by Harriet Power. Villanova Theatre production through April 27

Robert Zaller

Apr 22, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

InterAct's "Frozen'

Frozen abounds with ideas about the nature of justice and the psychological costs of forgiveness. It provided me with some of the most thought-provoking theater of the year, and forced me to ask big questions. But is it a play, or a series of lectures?

Frozen. By Bryony Lavery; directed by Whit MacLaughlin. InterAct Theatre production through May 4, 2008 at Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8077, or

Jim Rutter

Apr 22, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Suburban Love Songs' by 1812 productions

Karen Getz’s small gem of a pantomime dance-comedy tunes into a brilliant perception: Behind the political upheaval of the ‘60s lay a vast contingent of suburban singles bypassed by the sexual revolution.

Suburban Love Songs. Created, choreographed and directed by Karen Getz. 1812 Productions presentation through April 27, 2008 at Plays and Players, 1724 Delancey St. (215) 592-9560 or 1812productions.org

Dan Rottenberg

Apr 15, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Othello' vs. "Pericles'

These two productions— one full of subtle artistry, the other a poorly played screaming match—couldn’t be more different. Yet together they offer a surprising and subtle reminder of Shakespeare’s continuing legacy and importance.

Pericles. By William Shakespeare; directed by Carmen Khan. Through May 18, 2008, at Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom St. (215) 496-8001 or www.p

Jim Rutter

Apr 12, 2008 · Articles · 7 minute read