"Camelot' at the Merriam

The new touring production of Camelot is a half-hour shorter than the original and offers a revised book by Alan Jay Lerner’s son. It also boasts some fine performances, including one by an understudy. Whether it’s an improvement on the original— or whether the original was that good to begin with— is another question.

Camelot. Music by Frederick Loewe; libretto by Alan Jay Lerner. Touring production closed June 10, 2007 at the Merriam Theatr

Steve Cohen

Jun 20, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Hair' at the Prince

It’s hard to recapture the anti-war feelings of the 1960s, but the Prince Music Theater’s 40th enthusiastic anniversary revival of Hair helps show today’s younger generation what the fuss was all about.

Hair. Book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado; 
music by Galt MacDermot; directed by Tom O’Horgan. Through June 17, 2007 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. (215) 569-9700 or

Steve Cohen

Jun 06, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

"The Four of Us' by 1812 Productions

This two-character comedy about how jealousy can poison an imperfect friendship is leaner than previous works by Tamar Moses but often dazzling nevertheless.

The Four of Us. By Itamar Moses; directed by Pete Pryor. Presented by 1812 Productions through June 17, 2007 at St. Stephen’s Theatre, Tenth and Ludlow Sts. (215) 592-9560 or www.1812productions.org.

Steve Cohen

Jun 05, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

InterAct's 'Skin in Flames'

Catalan playwright Guillem Clua’s Skin in Flames seeks to explore personal guilt, political repression, and sexual brutality in an unnamed and generic Third World state. In leaving nothing to the imagination, however, it fails at any point to evoke it.

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.

Robert Zaller

Jun 05, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Carousel' at the Walnut (2nd review)

The most relevant aspect of Carousel seems to have been deliberately removed from this production. It makes you wonder whether the folks at the Walnut understand what this show is all about.

Carousel. Music by Richard Rodgers; book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin; musical direction by Douglass Lutz. Through July 15, 2007 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St. (215) 574-3550 or www.wstonline.org.

Dan Rottenberg

May 26, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Carousel' at Walnut (1st review)

The Walnut Street Theatre’s new production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic is an excellent one, with even more solid casting and conducting than the last two presentations I saw in New York.

Carousel. Music by Richard Rodgers; book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin; musical direction by Douglass Lutz. Through July 15, 2007 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St. (215) 574-3550 or www.

Steve Cohen

May 26, 2007 · Articles · 6 minute read

"Doubt' at the Merriam

The great Cherry Jones is at the top of her game. But she overwhelms the rest of the cast, and John Patrick Shanley’s contrived, manipulative drama of priests and nuns in 1964 deceptively equates the questioning of orthodoxy with child abuse.

Doubt. By John Patrick Shanley. National touring production through May 20, 2007 at the Merriam Theatre, 250 S. Broad St. (215) 732-5446 or merriamtheater.org.

Steve Cohen

May 19, 2007 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Lookingglass Alice' at Arden

Lookingglass Alice stages Lewis Carroll as a kind of metaphysical circus for adults. Despite a gifted and wonderfully athletic troupe, however, this ultimately reductive production falls between two stools.

Lookingglass Alice. Directed and adapted by David Catlin in association with the Actors Gymnasium. Through June 10, 2007 at the Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St. (215) 922-1122 or www.ardentheatre.

Robert Zaller

May 19, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Orson's Shadow' at PTC (third review)

As entertainment, Orson’s Shadow provides a fun evening for people with an interest in theater history and backstage gossip. But as drama, it falls short.

Orson’s Shadow. By Austin Pendleton; James J. Christy directed. Philadelphia Theatre Co. production through June 3, 2007 at Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey Street. (215) 985-0420 or www.phillytheatreco.com.

Steve Cohen

May 12, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Orson's Shadow' at PTC (first review)

Orson’s Shadow, the Philadelphia Theatre Company’s final production at Plays & Players, is an intriguing if uneven study in theatrical genius, with a splendidly realized Sir Laurence Olivier dominating the play.

Orson’s Shadow. By Austin Pendleton; James J. Christy directed. Philadelphia Theatre Co. production through June 3, 2007 at Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey Street. (215) 985-0420 or

Robert Zaller

May 12, 2007 · Articles · 5 minute read