Theater

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245 Martello Mary

Barrymore Awards: A bush-league show

The Barrymore Awards ostensibly honor the best of Philadelphia theater. But this year's Barrymore ceremony was an embarrassment. Countless spokesmen spent three and a half hours telling us that the Philly theater community is great. Won't they please shut up and show us what’s great?

Barrymore Awards. October 23, 2006 at the Merriam Theatre, Broad above Spruce St.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 5 minute read

Wilma's "The Pillowman' (second review)

Martin McDonagh’s macabre comedy-drama is no predictably Kafkaesque tale of a repressive state destroying an innocent individual. It’s more of an inquiry into the creative and destructive power of words. There’s ample food for thought in this provocative work, and McDonagh’s genius here lies in his ability make profound and heavy issues entertaining and even funny.

The Pillowman. By Martin McDonagh; directed by Jiri Zizka. Through November 5, 2006,&n
Dan Rottenberg

Dan Rottenberg

Articles 3 minute read
235 Pillowman

'Pillowman' at the Wilma (first review)

Martin McDonagh’s complex murder mystery, set in an unnamed totalitarian state, is much more than a black comedy. This is a forensic drama that mocks its own convolutions, as well as a scabrous satire of cultural violence.

The Pillowman. By Martin McDonagh; directed by Jiri Zizka. Through November 5, 2006, at Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St. (215) 893-9456 or www.wilmatheater.org

Lewis Whittington

Articles 3 minute read
230 godot

'Waiting for Godot' at Annenberg

The Gate Theatre’s Waiting for Godot is a worthy production by a company with Beckett in its bones— not all one could wish for, but as good as we are likely to see for a while.

Waiting For Godot. By Samuel Beckett, directed by Walter D. Ausmus. Gate Theatre production through October 15, 2006 at Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 215-898-3900 or www.pennpresents.org.
Robert Zaller

Robert Zaller

Articles 4 minute read
229 murderers1

PTC's 'Murderers'

On paper, Jeffrey Hatcher’s notion of unlikely killers in a gated senior community sounds like fine material for a relevant social comedy. But Murderers is all talk and no action; it’s a series of three separate monologues whose characters and stories never intersect.

Murderers. By Jeffrey Hatcher; directed by Michael Bush for Philadelphia Theatre Co. Through Nov. 5, 2006, at Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey St. (215) 985-0420 or
Dan Rottenberg

Dan Rottenberg

Articles 2 minute read
224 kiki and herb losers in love

How to fix the Fringe Festival

The Philadelphia Fringe Festival is growing, but many intelligent theater-lovers are puzzled and even intimidated by it— which is funny, when you consider that the festival was originally aimed at people who are intimidated by established theater.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 6 minute read

Arden's 'Prayer For Owen Meany'

John Irving’s allegories, which evolved quietly in his novel, come across as heavy-handed in this stage adaptation. Two strong lead performances compensate for the production’s deficiencies.

A Prayer for Owen Meany. Adapted by Simon Bent from the John Irving novel. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen. Through October 14, 2006, at Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. Second St. 215-922-8900 or www.ardentheatre.org.

Lewis Whittington

Articles 2 minute read

Lantern's 'Master Harold' (second review)

Athol Fugard's mid-period play "Master Harold"... and the Boys gets a good production at the Lantern Theater and a sterling performance from Frank X, but its flawed premise-- the relationship between a young white boy and a middle-aged black servant in apartheid-era South Africa-- vitiates its final impact.

"Master Harold"…and the Boys. By Athol Fugard; Lantern Theater Co. production directed by David O’Connor. Through Oct. 15, 2006,
Robert Zaller

Robert Zaller

Articles 5 minute read

Lantern's 'Master Harold...'

South African apartheid is dead, but this indictment of racial repression is as relevant and involving as ever in Lantern's powerful, in-your-face production.

"Master Harold"…and the boys. By Athol Fugard; Lantern Theater Co. production directed by David O’Connor. Through Oct. 15, 2006, at St. Stephen’s Theater, Ninth and Ludlow. (215) 829-9002 or www.lanterntheater.org.
Dan Rottenberg

Dan Rottenberg

Articles 4 minute read
213 windycity

Walnut Street Theatre's 'Windy City'

Why revive The Front Page as a musical in 2006? Good question. The result is a formulaic show that offers the trappings of a blockbuster Broadway musical without the necessary central core of a dramatic story or involving characters

Windy City. Book and lyrics by Dick Vosburgh; music by Tony Macaulay; directed and choreographed by Marc Robin. Through Oct. 22, 2006 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St. (215) 574-3550 or www.wsto
Dan Rottenberg

Dan Rottenberg

Articles 4 minute read