The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents Richard Benson: The World Is Smarter Than You Are
Pursuing the perfect print
Few people know that master printmaker Richard Benson also had an exquisite body of work as a photographer. The Philadelphia Museum of Art celebrates every facet of the artist in a new exhibition. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
The Weekly Roundup, October 13-19, 2021
'Fantasy Basement,' 'Spring Awakening,' PHonk! Philly, and the FirstGlance Film Festival
Nerd-centric burlesque and comedy, a pair of new music fests, Temple Theaters reopens its doors, and FirstGlance Film Festival returns for its 24th year. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
Lantern Theater Company presents Neil Bartlett’s The Plague
Conscience and contagion
Lantern Theater Company’s chilling adaptation of Camus’s The Plague, a US premiere, holds an uncomfortable theatrical mirror to our own pandemic reality. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Florence Price’s Symphony No. 4
A sweet streamer
For its first Digital Stage concert of the new season, the Philadelphia Orchestra performed Florence Price's Symphony No. 4 in D minor, a masterpiece of musical art discovered after the composer's death. Linda Holt reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Inis Nua Theatre presents Janet Moran’s A Holy Show
A smooth landing
Inis Nua’s A Holy Show gives a surprising warm and fuzzy feeling despite its grim subject matter: the 1981 hijacking of Aer Lingus flight 164. Josh Herren reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Brainchild Stageworkx presents Ryk Lewis’s The Ongoing Plight of the Ferryman
Opportunity knocks at death's door
Enjoy the season and get into the spirit of Halloween with this family-friendly original musical from Philly artist Ryk Lewis. Christina Anthony previews.
Previews
2 minute read
Piffaro and Variant 6 present A New Sun Rises
A new start for old music
Piffaro launched its first in-person concert since the pandemic with the singers of Variant 6 for a wide-ranging program, including the premiere of Kile Smith’s "Ave Maris Stella." Gail Obenreder reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The Wilma presents New Saloon’s Minor Character
Welcome back to the Wilma
The Wilma returns to live, in-person performance with Minor Character, a play presenting six translations of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya at the same time. Brad Rothbart reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Delaware Theatre Company presents Ray Didinger’s Tommy and Me
The lore of the game
Delaware Theatre Company’s Tommy and Me is an especially welcoming reopening performance combining sports and theater, two things best experienced in a crowd. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Philly’s Protect the Artist protestors take their demands to the Walnut’s opening night
A new opening scene
After a summer of protest and invitations to dialogue that went ignored by the Walnut Street Theatre, Protect the Artist organizers took their message to the Walnut’s 2021 opening night. Wendy Rosenfield was there.
Features
6 minute read
Philadelphia rally speakers warn that the battle for abortion rights is coming to Pennsylvania
Reproductive justice matters to our cultural sector
All eyes are on the Supreme Court this week, taking up cases including one that could overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. What does Philly think about that? Alaina Johns attended the rally.
Editorials
6 minute read
HBO presents The Many Saints of Newark
The Sopranos, before and after
The new Sopranos movie, The Many Saints of Newark, isn’t nearly as transcendent as its series predecessor. But it does tell a much more honest story about the Mafia, Newark, and race. Stephen Silver considers.
Reviews
5 minute read
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The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia presents Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony
Beethoven’s belated birthday
The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia returned to live performance with an ambitious program anchored by Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony, but the results were somewhat variable. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
The Weekly Roundup, October 6-12
Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philly
An assorted roundup of events happening in the city and books, documentaries, and podcasts to explore beyond Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
5 minute read
Lightning Rod Special presents We Are Trying to Reach You
Listening in on IVF
Lightning Rod Special continues its audio series Sound Break with We Are Trying to Reach You, Katie Gould’s challenging path to pregnancy told through voicemails, song, and egg jokes. Kirsten Bowen reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Penn Museum presents The Stories We Wear
Our selves, on our sleeves
At Penn Museum’s The Stories We Wear, specimens of clothing spanning thousands of years prove that humans have always been dressing for success, and our tastes have changed less than you’d think. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia's The Eroica Symphony opens the new season
A heroic reopening
The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia opens its season with a symphony normally played by larger orchestras—Beethoven’s Eroica. Tom Purdom previews.
Previews
1 minute read
The October 2021 repertory movie roundup
Trick-or-treat, give me something good to screen
A Halloween-y lineup of films screening in the Philadelphia area this month. Stephen Silver rounds up.
Previews
5 minute read
Piffaro welcomes the new and old with A New Sun Rising
Renaissance music for a musical renaissance
Piffaro returns to live, in-person concerts with a celebration of rising suns and the dawn of a new era in its 40-year history. Tom Purdom previews.
Previews
2 minute read
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Beethoven and Iman Habibi
Out of the wilderness
In its first performance before a paying audience at Verizon Hall since March 2020, the Philadelphia Orchestra picked up right where it left off, with a stirring interpretation of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Philly Fringe 2021: Dancefusion and Movement Migration present Dance Voices
The founding mothers of modern dance
Philly’s Dancefusion teamed with the visiting troupe Movement Migration to present Dance Voices, a double bill of five pieces by the two companies, an interesting mix of modern styles for the Philly Fringe. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Getting up close with Intercultural Journeys's Close Ups: Scars and Emblems
Shapeshifting stories of hope and hurt
Ursula Rucker teams up with Intercultural Journeys for a second season of Close Ups, a series of hour-long performances and conversations. Christina Anthony previews.
Previews
3 minute read