
BSR Behind the Scenes: Why do we need arts criticism?
Going backstage at BSR: The truth about reviewing
In our experience, some people opine that the critics are just dragging the cultural scene down—especially when a review is mixed or negative. But is that true? Not at all. Alaina Johns explains in this BSR Behind the Scenes editorial.

Editorials
6 minute read

The BSR December 2023 movie repertory roundup
Schindler’s List, It’s a Wonderful Life, and the five best films of all time
Holiday classics abound, a milestone anniversary for Spielberg, and wrapping up the Sight and Sound top 100 films of all-time. Stephen Silver previews.

Previews
5 minute read

The freedom on the bike, and the freedom in the weeds
Making magic in the ragweed
As a boy, Kile Smith knew there was no freedom like riding your own bike on your own time. But now, as he watches the world go by from his garden, a whole new kingdom opens up.

Essays
5 minute read

Has Philly lost touch with the true musical roots of tap dance?
Tap dance is much more than learning the steps
The true art of tap, including historic Philly dancers, has its roots in collaboration and improvisation, not recorded music or memorized choreography. Philly tap dance leader Pamela Hetherington explains.

Essays
5 minute read

Menstruation is a part of life, but pain doesn’t have to be
Why don’t we take women’s pain seriously?
Despite studies that show women experience pain more acutely, we wait longer for diagnosis and pain relief than men do—if we get relief at all. Isabel Soisson considers.

Essays
5 minute read

The Lantern Theater presents Lynn Nottage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy
Feasting on Crumbs
Crumbs from the Table of Joy, a lesser-known early work by Lynn Nottage, one of America’s most popular playwrights, still feels relevant in this Lantern Theater production. Krista Mar reviews.

Reviews
3 minute read

BSR Behind the Scenes: What does public relations have to do with arts journalism?
Going backstage at BSR: The PR connection
What does arts journalism have to do with PR? As arts writers and editors, we often work closely with PR people. How do we collaborate? And what are the boundaries between our roles? Alaina Johns explains in this BSR Behind the Scenes editorial.

Editorials
7 minute read

The Delaware Art Museum presents The Rossettis
A new look at some old radicals
The Delaware Art Museum has the biggest collection of British Pre-Raphaelite artworks outside the UK, and this exhibition, which opened at Tate Britain and now lands stateside, honors the radical Rossettis. Gail Obenreder reviews.

Reviews
5 minute read

Remembering Stan and Jan Berenstain, the Philly artists who created the Berenstain Bears
The makers of America’s favorite bear family
Stanley Melvin Berenstain met Janice Marian Grant when they were both studying art in Philadelphia—ostensibly to join the army, but their career took a very different turn. Emily Zarevich considers.
Essays
3 minute read

Arden Theatre Company presents Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me
Breathing in the grip of the framers
Arden Theatre Company presents Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me, a play that is as alternately illuminating and frustrating as our founding document. Kiran Pandey reviews.

Reviews
4 minute read

As we close out 2023, BSR is taking you behind the scenes of our arts journalism
Going backstage at BSR
When we ask for your support, we want to be sure we’re stepping up to explain our work. But whether or not you can donate, if you’re a BSR reader, we bet you’ll enjoy this window on how our stories come to be.

Editorials
4 minute read

The Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media Fall Fest presents Remembering Gene Wilder
Who didn’t love Gene Wilder?
The 2023 Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media Fall Fest opened with the local premiere of director Ron Frank’s Remembering Gene Wilder, a hugely enjoyable walk through the legendary actor’s life and career. Stephen Silver reviews.

Reviews
3 minute read
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Also on BSR

BSR Classical Interludes November 2023, part 2
Market Street Music, Wister and More, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and more
Another serving of November classical music offerings popping up in the Greater Philadelphia area. Gail Obenreder previews.

Previews
3 minute read

The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, November 16-22, 2023
Table Sessions, local Philly films, and music with Ruth Naomi Floyd
A short film festival from cinéSPEAK, music at the Weitzman and Bartram’s Garden, new play Shoptalk, and more highlight the week. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.

Previews
3 minute read

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts presents Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden
A world at his fingertips
In 2017, PAFA became the preserver and promoter of globetrotting 20th-century American sculptor John Rhoden’s artistic legacy. Now, PAFA mounts the artist’s first comprehensive retrospective. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read

The Delaware Symphony Orchestra presents ¡Música Bravo!
DSO goes around the world
The Delaware Symphony Orchestra continues its 2023-24 season with guest conductor Michelle Di Russo, who programmed her ideal concert with Joaquín Rodrigo, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, and more. Gail Obenreder reviews.

Reviews
4 minute read

Rinse, by Elaine Terranova
Making peace with enigma
Philly writer Elaine Terranova’s eighth book, Rinse, shows the author’s poetic sensibilities with lyrical language that captures emotional tones and thrumming silences. Anndee Hochman reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read

Inis Nua Theatre Company presents Rosa Hesmondhalgh’s Madame Ovary
Comedy equals cancer plus time
Based on the lived experience of playwright Rosa Hesmondhalgh’s cancer diagnosis, Inis Nua’s Madame Ovary is equal parts funny and tragic. Jill Ivey reviews.

Reviews
2 minute read

The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, November 9-15, 2023
Crushed Earth, Latin American folk music, CraftNOW, and more
Exploring the "Earth" with People's Light and the Academy of Natural Sciences, a legendary dancing legacy on display at Fabric Workshop and Museum, and more from PHonk!Philly, CraftNOW, and TIMBALONA. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.

Previews
3 minute read

Koresh Dance Company presents Ronen Koresh’s Aftershock
Where the journey home stands 25 years later
Koresh Dance Company reflects on choreographer Ronen Koresh’s emotional journey as an Israeli immigrant and an artist in Aftershock. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.

Previews
4 minute read

Resident Ensemble Players presents John Ball’s In the Heat of the Night
A cracking good detective story
Resident Ensemble Players at the University of Delaware continues its season with In the Heat of the Night, a world-class whodunit that doesn’t shy away from its story’s disturbing roots in 1962 Alabama. Gail Obenreder reviews.

Reviews
5 minute read

Azuka Theatre presents Priyanka Shetty’s The Elephant in the Room
A story as unique as the immigrant experience
Priyanka Shetty’s The Elephant in the Room, a solo autobiographical show about an Indian software engineer turned theater artist,
is proving the creator’s performance chops in its Philly debut at Azuka Theatre. Krista Mar reviews.
is proving the creator’s performance chops in its Philly debut at Azuka Theatre. Krista Mar reviews.

Reviews
2 minute read