Name: Cotter Interactive
Price range: $

This novel follows a young person with a complex identity on a journey across the country and into her own self. (Image courtesy of Dial Books.)

‘Juliet Takes a Breath’ by Gabby Rivera

Identity in all directions

In Gabby Rivera’s young adult novel ‘Juliet Takes a Breath,’ a young, queer Latina from the Bronx blazes her own trail to Portland, Oregon, learning that identity never has a single trajectory. Olivia J. B. Baxter reviews.

Olivia J. B. Baxter

Jan 14, 2020 Articles 3 minute read

Capturing eyes from the sidewalk: Behnaz Karjoo’s ‘Jewels of the Heart.’ (Image courtesy of Twelve Gates Arts.)

Twelve Gates Arts presents ‘Immanence: Tazhib in America | Behnaz Karjoo’

Illuminating Iranian tradition

Behnaz Karjoo’s traditional Islamic works, now on view at Twelve Gates Arts, remind us of the evolution of deep-rooted cultures and their crucial preservation. Emily Esten reviews.

Emily Esten

Jan 13, 2020 Articles 3 minute read

The band itself is the saving grace of ‘The Band’s Visit.’ (Photo by Matthew Murphy.)

The Kimmel Center presents David Yazbek and Itamar Moses’s ‘The Band’s Visit’

A worthwhile visit?

‘The Band’s Visit’ arrives at the Academy of Music, and Philly can decide for itself if this humble story about an Egyptian band’s unexpected detour to a small Israeli town is worth its piles of awards. Christina Anthony reviews.

Christina Anthony

Jan 13, 2020 Articles 3 minute read

What is, and what might be: a new book documents Philly’s Monument Lab. (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘Monument Lab: Creative Speculations for Philadelphia,’ edited by Paul M. Farber and Ken Lum

Monumental truths

More than two years ago, Philadelphia came together with Monument Lab to examine what our city's monuments show, what they don’t, and what we could do about it. A new book looks back. Pamela Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Jan 07, 2020 Articles 5 minute read

They’re not going away anytime soon: the cast of the 2019 Broadway tour of ‘Cats.’ (Photo by Matthew Murray.)

How I learned to stop worrying and love ‘Cats’

Feline felicity

If you’re going to watch ‘Cats’ onscreen or onstage, there are just certain things you have to accept. Josh Herren comes out as a ‘Cats’ person.

Josh Herren

Jan 06, 2020 Articles 4 minute read

Genius collaborators: composer John Cage, dancer/choreographer Merce Cunningham, and artist Robert Rauschenberg. (Photo © Douglas Jeffrey; courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.)

Alla Kovgan’s ‘Cunningham’

Dancing ahead of his time

Filmmaker Alla Kovgan’s new biography examines how choreographic genius Merce Cunningham transformed modern dance. Gary Day reviews.

Gary L. Day

Jan 03, 2020 Articles 2 minute read

Conductor Bramwell Tovey offered a hilarious take on Tchaikovsky. (Photo by David Cooper.)

The Philadelphia Orchestra presents its 2019 New Year’s Eve concert

Bramwell Tovey, back where he belongs

Bramwell Tovey—part conductor, part stand-up comedian—was at it again on New Year’s Eve, to the delight of a sold-out Philadelphia Orchestra audience at Verizon Hall. Dan Rottenberg reviews.

Dan Rottenberg

Jan 01, 2020 Articles 2 minute read

How children see ‘The Nutcracker’ (ninth helping)

Growing up at the ballet

After nine years, Dan Rottenberg's grandchildren are beginning to approach The Nutcracker more like adults than children.

Dan Rottenberg

Dec 30, 2019 Articles 5 minute read

The cover of “Little Italy in the Great War” shows an Evening Public Ledger photo of the 1916 “Italian Brigade,” Company A of the Third Regiment of the PA National Guard, which had many Italian service members. (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘Little Italy in the Great War’ by Richard N. Juliani

Philly’s first WWI home front

Richard N. Juliani’s new book reveals troves of immigrant stories preserved in Philly’s early 19th-century newspapers and pieces together an often-forgotten segment of the American home front in WWI. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Dec 28, 2019 Articles 5 minute read

Two role debuts: baritone Peter Mattei (Wozzeck) and soprano Elza van den Heever (Marie). (Photo by Ken Howard for the Met Opera.)

The Metropolitan Opera presents Alban Berg’s ‘Wozzeck’

Nézet-Séguin makes his mark at the Met

The Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Alban Berg’s ‘Wozzeck’ too often favors visual flourish over storytelling, but music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads a revelatory reading of the score. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

Dec 28, 2019 Articles 5 minute read