The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, January 22-28, 2026
Sonic pictures, Good Bones, and flirting with capitalism
Good Bones from James Ijames comes to the Arden, a performance at the Rotunda plays the sound of photographs, and more highlight the weekend. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
Locals pack a No ICE Philly meetup at the Friends Center on January 21
Proof that Philly wants to protect our neighbors
Anti-ICE activists in Philly are organizing to protect our neighbors from unconstitutional abuses, and pressure Governor Shapiro into action. Alaina Johns was at their January 21 meeting in Center City.
Editorials
7 minute read
Pig Iron Theatre Company and the Wilma Theater present Poor Judge
Multitudes of Aimees
Amid adversity, Pig Iron Theatre Company and the Wilma Theater deliver a brilliant revival of Poor Judge, their hit Aimee Mann musical. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
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Chaz T. Martin and R. Eric Thomas present Variety Pack
Making space for comedy
Variety Pack alt-comedy festival returns for second year with kid-friendly acts, workshops and range of experimental humor. Dara McBride previews.
Previews
2 minute read
The Philadelphia Artists’ Collective presents Susan Glaspell’s Inheritors
This land is whose land?
Philadelphia Artists’ Collective mounts a new production of Susan Glaspell’s 105-year-old play, Inheritors, at the Community College of Philadelphia. It feels unnervingly relevant to today’s political and social climate. Jill Ivey reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Thank you for making BSR's 20th anniversary party a huge success!
Missed our Party with the Critics? Catch the program here.
On January 15, the BSR community gathered for our biggest event yet, our Party with the Critics, in honor of our 20th anniversary. Here's a recap.
Editorials
3 minute read
State and city leaders unveil updated $150M vision for the Avenue of the Arts
Work slated to begin this month on South Broad Street improvements
A revamp of South Broad Street, AKA the Avenue of the Arts, has been pending since 2024, and leaders have big updates for 2026, including a much bigger price tag. Stephen Silver reports.
Features
5 minute read
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Julius Eastman, John Williams, and Mendelssohn with Dalia Stasevska
A celebration of dramatic contrasts
Guest conductor Dalia Stasevska gave the Philly premiere of Curtis alum Julius Eastman’s Symphony No. 2, plus sparkling scores by John Williams and Felix Mendelssohn. Peter Burwasser reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents Paige Hernandez’s Havana Hop
Self-esteem as shared discovery
Havana Hop, a touring show by Baltimore-based multidisciplinary solo artist Paige Hernandez, is a bold celebration of identity, confidence, and self-discovery during childhood. A. Lewis reviews.
BSR Classical Interludes, more in January 2026
Nearly 40 years with Andrea Clearfield, and more
Andrea Clearfield Szalon opens this weekend, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society sets up at the American Philosophical Society, and more wrap up January. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
3 minute read
Earth’s Greatest Enemy gets its Philly premiere at a Fallser Club screening on January 28
A new documentary identifies the US military as the world’s largest polluter
Journalist and filmmaker Abby Martin will attend the Philly premiere of her new documentary about the US military’s ecological impact, Earth’s Greatest Enemy, at the Fallser Club on Wednesday, January 28. Adryan Corcione learns more.
Features
4 minute read
The Philadelphia Art Museum presents Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100
Celebrating a Surrealist centennial with 70 artists
Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100 gets its only US stop at the Philadelphia Art Museum. K.A. McFadden reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The Citywide James Ijames Pass adds theater to Philly’s 250th celebrations
Three plays, three theaters, and one prize-winning playwright
The Arden, Philadelphia Theatre Company, and the Wilma are teaming up for a first-of-its-kind Philly theater pass featuring three James Ijames productions. Wendy Univer finds out how it all came together.
Features
6 minute read
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Also on BSR
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, January 15-21, 2026
Solo shows, Music for Food, and Moon Alignment
Havana Hop and Draw the Circle tell one-person stories, MLK Day at AAMP, and William Way exhibits its legacy. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, with conductor Dalia Stasevska
Celestial harmonies and a train-whistlin’ fiddle
Dalia Stasevska, one of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s most popular guest conductors, returns for several concerts in January as part of the orchestra’s 125th anniversary celebration. Linda Holt reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and BalletX present Petrushka, featuring ensemble132
A mixed perspective on Petrushka
PCMS teamed up with BalletX and ensemble132 for a unique performance featuring onstage chamber music with a program including Bartók and Mozart, and a reimagined performance of the 1911 ballet Petrushka. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Ensemble Arts Philly and the Shubert Organization present Shaina Taub’s Suffs
Women are still marching
Suffs lands in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music, telling the stories of the powerful activists who worked tirelessly to gain American women the right to vote. Alix Rosenfeld reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The Month of Philly Dance, January 2026
Another look at Petrushka, a visit from Dance Theater of Harlem, and Sacred Earth
Camille Bacon-Smith previews Philly’s dance performances that start the new year.
Previews
2 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, January 2026
The Chenaults organ duo, Bach’s Wedding Cantana, and more
Opening the new year with classical music happening in the Philly area. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
4 minute read
The BSR January 2026 Philadelphia repertory movie roundup
Zohran’s mom, more David Lynch, and a Rob Reiner classic
Philadelphia Film Society celebrates Mira Nair, more David Lynch, and a screening of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Stephen Silver previews.
Previews
6 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, January 8-14, 2026
UNBOUND, When the Day Comes, and Poor Judge
The new year begins with offerings from Ubuntu Fine Art Gallery, Pig Iron Theatre Company, FringeArts, and more. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
The BSR Podcast: Darnelle speaks on his path to theater, the state of new work, and lots more
Hear from the new director of Theatre Philadelphia!
Darnelle Radford takes the hot seat as BSR editor Alaina Johns interviews him about his theater backstory and where he's going as the new executive director of Theatre Philadelphia.
Podcast
1 minute read
Without strong leadership, Philadelphians must turn to each other in 2026
Mayor Parker, we can’t sit back until the fight is at our doorstep
This will be a tumultuous year in Philly, with elections, global sports events, and the eyes of the world on America’s 250th birthday. But we must brace for even bigger challenges. Alaina Johns looks ahead.
Editorials
6 minute read