InterAct's "Kiss of the Spider Woman'

After a generation of multi-media treatment, Puig’s two revolutionary cellmates are no longer all that revolutionary. Which means that what was once the inspiring experience of sharing their enlightened company has now become stale and hackneyed.

Kiss of the Spider Woman. By Manuel Puig, with a translation by Allan Baker; directed by Seth Rozin. InterAct Theatre Co. production through November 19, 2006 at Adrienne Theatre,, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8079 or

Dan Rottenberg

Oct 26, 2006 · Articles · 2 minute read

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

Oct 26, 2006 · 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

Oct 20, 2006 · Articles · 3 minute read

'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

Oct 18, 2006 · Articles · 3 minute read

'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

Oct 16, 2006 · Articles · 4 minute read

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

Oct 12, 2006 · Articles · 2 minute read

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

Sep 28, 2006 · 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

Sep 28, 2006 · 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

Sep 26, 2006 · 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

Sep 21, 2006 · Articles · 4 minute read