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

Lantern Theater's "Othello'

Frank X builds to an incandescent climax in the title role of this well-staged Othello. But an understated Iago prevents the production from capturing the play’s full power.

Othello. By William Shakespeare; directed by Charles McMahon. Lantern Theater production through May 4, 2008 at St. Stephen’s Theater, Tenth and Ludlow St. (215) 829.0395 or www.lanterntheater.org.

Robert Zaller

Apr 05, 2008 · Articles · 6 minute read

PTC's "Third' (2nd review)

Facing death at 55, Wendy Wasserstein reconsidered some of her old certainties. Third, her last play, isn’t her best memorial. But it does contain its share of provocative and original creations.

Third. By Wendy Wasserstein; directed by Mary B. Robinson. Philadelphia Theatre Co. production through April 20, 2008 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad (at Lombard). (215) 985-0420 or

Steve Cohen

Mar 29, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

PTC's "Third' (1st review)

Third, Wendy Wasserstein’s last play, sends up tenured feminists and Wasserstein’s own liberal politics, but it arrives too late for satire and contains too little for drama. Plus, you have to listen to voice-overs from George W. Bush.

Third. By Wendy Wasserstein; directed by Mary B. Robinson. Philadelphia Theatre Co. production through April 20, 2008 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad (at Lombard). (215) 985-0420 or

Robert Zaller

Mar 29, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Merchant of Venice' at Temple

While the current production at Temple’s Tomlinson Theater is unexceptional, all the ingredients are still there: the tension of the pound-of-flesh drama, the glorious poetry, the story of the three caskets. And the anti-Semitism.

The Merchant of Venice. By William Shakespeare; directed by Dan Kern. Temple Theaters production through March 29, 2008 at Tomlinson Theater, 1301 W. Norris St. (215) 204-8414 or

Rathe Miller

Mar 25, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Philadelphia as "Premiere City'

Here is an exciting answer to those urbanologists who worry that Philadelphia no longer makes anything. We can make new plays, every year, just the way we used to make railroad engines and Stetson hats.

Armen Pandola

Mar 11, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read