Theater
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Page 263
"Assassins' at the Arden
Sondheim’s musical about presidential assassins is a tough sell to theater audiences. But Terrence Nolen’s production at the Arden achieves the near impossible: a good balance between spookiness, humor and a serious look at the American Dream.
Assassins. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; book by John Weidman. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen; music directed by Eric Ebbenga. Through October 21, 2007 at Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St. (215) 922-1122 or
Assassins. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; book by John Weidman. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen; music directed by Eric Ebbenga. Through October 21, 2007 at Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St. (215) 922-1122 or
Articles
5 minute read
Fringe Festival 2007
A year ago I wrote a negative critique of the Philly Fringe Festival. I do not take back a word of that article. But this year, unlike last, some of the 1,500 participating artists were talented and serious professionals investing enough effort in their work to succeed in the marketplace.
Live/Arts/Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Sept. 1-18, 2007.
Live/Arts/Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Sept. 1-18, 2007.
Articles
6 minute read
Wooster Group's "Emperor Jones' (1st review)
A white woman in male black face: Seeing is believing. The Wooster Group’s interpretation bends, slants and renders O’Neill’s emperor more comic than perhaps necessary. But Kate Valk’s virtuosity in the title role is an inspiration.
The Emperor Jones. By Eugene O’Neill. Wooster Group production September 5-9, 2007 at Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St. LiveArts/Philadelphia Fringe Festival, (215) 413-1318 or
The Emperor Jones. By Eugene O’Neill. Wooster Group production September 5-9, 2007 at Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St. LiveArts/Philadelphia Fringe Festival, (215) 413-1318 or
Articles
3 minute read
Wooster Group's "Emperor Jones' (2nd review)
The world has changed since O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones first appeared in 1920. This new production reminds us that we’re still a racist society. OK, but what else is new?
The Emperor Jones. By Eugene O’Neill. Wooster Group production September 5-9, 2007 at Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St. LiveArts/Philadelphia Fringe Festival, (215) 413-1318 or www.livearts-fr
The Emperor Jones. By Eugene O’Neill. Wooster Group production September 5-9, 2007 at Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St. LiveArts/Philadelphia Fringe Festival, (215) 413-1318 or www.livearts-fr
Articles
2 minute read
Artists and criminals
Should a convicted drug dealer be allowed to put on a show about his crime? Performance artist Christian Lisak raised that question with his recent monologue, That’s Why They Don’t Call It a Picnic. Some Philadelphia theater people say yes and others vehemently disagree, but all of their reactions seem to misunderstand what art— not to mention crime— is really all about.
Articles
5 minute read
Pig Iron Theatre's "Isabella' (1st review)
Shakespeare in the nude is certainly not for everybody. But Pig Iron Theatre mines a profund point: Decoration of the body is essentially meaningless to the human condition. This instant dark classic represents what the LiveArts-Philly Fringe Festivals could and should be.
Isabella. Pig Iron Theatre Company production through September 15, 2007 at Ice Box Projects Space, 1400 N. American St. (215) 413-1318or
Isabella. Pig Iron Theatre Company production through September 15, 2007 at Ice Box Projects Space, 1400 N. American St. (215) 413-1318or
Articles
3 minute read
'Wicked' at the Academy of Music
Visually, this Wicked far outclasses what one normally sees outside of Manhattan. For a road production, it displays a rare look of luxury and permanence, and the lead roles are sung and played by two excellent performers, Victoria Matlock and Christina DeCicco, who even surpass the original cast in some ways.
Wicked. Words and music by Stephen Schwartz; book by Winnie Holzman. Through September 9, 2007 at Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Sts. (215) 893-1999 or
Wicked. Words and music by Stephen Schwartz; book by Winnie Holzman. Through September 9, 2007 at Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Sts. (215) 893-1999 or
Articles
4 minute read
Gay Theatre Festival's "Heart and Music'
The composer lyricist William Finn has broken fresh ground on both gay and Jewish themes. Why, then, has he been embraced by gay audiences but not by Jewish theatergoers?
Heart and Music. Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival production through June 29, 2007 at the Arden Theater, 40 N. Second St. 215-922-1122 or www.philagaylesbiantheatrefest.org.
Heart and Music. Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival production through June 29, 2007 at the Arden Theater, 40 N. Second St. 215-922-1122 or www.philagaylesbiantheatrefest.org.
Articles
4 minute read
InterAct's "Skin in Flames' (2nd review)
Which is worse: Graphic nudity and sex acts on stage, or squeamishness about graphic nudity and sex acts on stage? InterAct’s Skin in Flames tried to have it both ways.
Skin in Flames. By Guillem Clua; directed Seth Rozin. Through June 24, 2007 at InterAct Theatre, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8079 or www.interactheatre.org.
Skin in Flames. By Guillem Clua; directed Seth Rozin. Through June 24, 2007 at InterAct Theatre, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8079 or www.interactheatre.org.
Articles
3 minute read
A plague of small-cast plays
Philadelphia’s Barrymore Awards, launched in 1995 to celebrate great local theater, have inadvertently encouraged small local theater. The reasons are economic: The Barrymore rules establish minimum pay scales for actors. So the question for theater companies becomes: How do you win a Barrymore without going broke? Answer: The fewer actors, the better.
Articles
5 minute read