"Amadeus' at the Wilma

The Wilma’s Amadeus is a compelling production of a stimulating work, one that provokes the mind while delighting the eye, the ear and the soul. But why does Peter Shaffer persist in tinkering with the script? In his place, what would Mozart do?

Amadeus. By Peter Shaffer; directed by Jiri Zizka. Through October 27, 2007 at Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St. (at Spruce). (215) 546-7824 or www.wilmatheater.org.

Dan Rottenberg

Oct 01, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

Pig Iron's "Isabella' (2nd review)

Pig Iron Theatre’s Isabella is a gripping theatrical event, one of the most exciting plays of the past few years. Most critics have missed its ingenious faithfulness to Measure For Measure. Shakespeare’s dark comedy was set in Vienna; Isabella is set in a morgue; but ultimately their subjects— lust, death and the abuse of authority— are the same.

Isabella. Pig Iron Theatre Company production through September 15, 2007 at Ic

Steve Cohen

Sep 29, 2007 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Flamingo/Winnebago' at Fringe Festival

A gas station owner and a hitchhiker head for Las Vegas in a quest to discover America. It’s an ambitious creation by playwright/director Thaddeus Phillips, but the drama doesn’t really start until they reach their destination. Judicious pruning would help this otherwise compelling production.

Flamingo/Winnebago. Written and directed by Thaddeus Phillips. Lucidity Suitcase production August 30-September 8, 2007 at The Painted Bride, 230 Vine St., Philadelphia, a

Steve Cohen

Sep 25, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

"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

Steve Cohen

Sep 21, 2007 · 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.

Steve Cohen

Sep 21, 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

Lesley Valdes

Sep 11, 2007 · 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

Lewis Whittington

Sep 08, 2007 · 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.

Jim Rutter

Sep 08, 2007 · 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

Lewis Whittington

Sep 04, 2007 · 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

Steve Cohen

Aug 07, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read