The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 28-April 3, 2024
Miniball, ‘The Last Yiddish Speaker’, and the return of Pop Up Gardens
Miniball arrives this weekend with both new and familiar performances, catch April Fool’s Day inspired slasher films with PFS, and drink for a cause with the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
Quintessence Theatre Group presents Shakespeare’s Macbeth
A rare expansion of the Scottish play
Quintessence Theatre Group stages a blockbuster Macbeth with an expanded script and an all-male cast, thrilling even when its reach exceeds its grasp. Kiran Pandey reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
Ensemble Arts Philly and the Shubert Organization present Disney’s Frozen
Let it snow
Disney’s Frozen makes its way to Philadelphia for the first time, landing at the Academy of Music and drawing passionate franchise fans into the magic of live theater. Josh Herren reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
As a trans actor, I’m dismayed by the “testosterone-driven” concept of the all-male Macbeth at Quintessence
If we don’t break down gender barriers in casting, Philly theater will continue to stall.
A promotional note from Quintessence Theatre Group artistic director Alex Burns about why he’s staging an “all-male” Macbeth drew a strong response from the Philly theater community. Bruce Baldini speaks up as a trans male actor.
Essays
6 minute read
The BSR April 2024 repertory movie roundup
‘90s action, a Philly classic, and youth rebellion in Japanese film
Classic action flicks from the 90s, a Philadelphia-shot film from the 80s, and a new film series from Lightbox. Stephen Silver rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
Arden Theatre Company Presents Stefano Massini’s The Lehman Trilogy, adapted by Ben Power
When speculation trumps slavery
A well-acted, well-crafted new production of the epic Lehman Trilogy, now getting its regional premiere at the Arden, can’t overcome this play’s moral bankruptcy. C.M. Crockford reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The man who called me an optimist: remembering writer Tom Purdom
“This is my editor.”
In January, the BSR community lost one of our founding members: science-fiction and music writer Tom Purdom. Near the end of his career, he never balked at having a youngster for his editor. Alaina Johns remembers a treasured friend and colleague.
Editorials
7 minute read
Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis could remind us to stop projecting our own fears of illness and death.
Before and after, for Kate and for me
Princess Kate’s cancer announcement brought up Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer’s own memories of fighting cancer as a mom in her late 30s. This news is an opportunity for us all to look inward and stop projecting our fears about illness and death.
Essays
5 minute read
The BSR Podcast, Season 8, Episode 3: Talking with Quintessence director Alex Burns about his all-male Macbeth
Back to the roots of the Scottish Play?
Podcast host Darnelle Radford sits down with Quintessence Theatre Group artistic director Alex Burns to talk about his new production of Macbeth.
Podcast
1 minute read
Act II Playhouse presents Terence McNally’s It’s Only a Play
Waiting on the reviews
The review is in for Act II's It's Only a Play, the show about theater artists waiting to hear the critics' opinions. Frank Burd reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Meet FRIEDA, where an intergenerational community (re)connects over food, arts, and culture
An antidote to the loneliness epidemic
With its versatile Walnut Street storefront in Old City, FRIEDA has become a magnet for transplants and Philly natives alike. Wendy Univer talks to the founders about this burgeoning cultural hub’s found family and latest exhibition, POMBAA.
Features
5 minute read
Stand-up for everybody with Next in Line Comedy
A laughing matter
Manny Brown talks comedy and community with the collective Next in Line Comedy, now with a new venue at The Coop. Kiran Pandey profiles.
Profiles
2 minute read
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The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 21-27, 2024
Chicana Collaborative, something soft, and My Love Affair with Marriage
Rounding up the week with offerings from Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Chicana Art Song Project, Painted Bride, and more. Kyle V. Hiller previews.
Previews
3 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes: March 22-28, 2024
Music rising in time for Easter
Open Organ Day, Avery Fisher Career Grant virtuoso brothers Anthony and Demarre McGill come to town, and new organizations Liberty City Arts and Musica Tevere show off their talents. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
3 minute read
Equilibrium Dance Company presents Watercolors
A kaleidoscope of movement
Equilibrium Dance Company's spring concert Watercolors promises a fusion of artistry. Dara McBride previews.
Previews
2 minute read
Philadelphia Ballet presents Dance Masterpieces
Three grand finales: Ailey, Forsythe, and Tharpe
The Philadelphia Ballet offered a trio of grand finales for its March program: favorites by Alvin Ailey, William Forsythe, and Twyla Tharpe brought heart, speed, skill, and whimsy. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Curtis Opera Theatre presents Les Mamelles de Tirésias and The Seven Deadly Sins
An inventive double bill on 20th-century women
Curtis Opera Theatre inventively pairs two works from the 20th century that consider the struggles of women in society: Poulenc’s Les Mamelles de Tirésias and Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s The Seven Deadly Sins. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Tempesta di Mare presents Vivaldi’s Juditha triumphans
Freeing Judith from the screens
Vivaldi’s Juditha triumphans, a 1716 oratorio about Judith and Holofernes that premiered with a famous all-women Venetian ensemble, is little known today. Philly’s baroque orchestra revives it with stunning effect. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Carl Orff’s Carmina burana
Springing ahead with a popular classic
The Philadelphia Orchestra teamed with conductor Fabio Luisi, the Mendelssohn
Chorus of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale, and Philadelphia Girls Choir for a much-anticipated Carmina Burana. Linda Holt reviews.
Chorus of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale, and Philadelphia Girls Choir for a much-anticipated Carmina Burana. Linda Holt reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 14-20, 2024
Intercultural Journeys, Power/Play, Embracing the Light, and more
Moving through the water with Water Speaks, animation for change, and finding light in dark places in this week’s roundup. Kyle V. Hiller previews.
Previews
3 minute read
Pleasurable sex re-education with DTF: Darryl & Timaree Fun Hour
Getting nerdy and dirty
Collaborators Timaree Schmit and Darryl Charles, hosts of DTF, talk sex, comedy, education, and being kindred souls. Daralyse Lyons profiles.
Profiles
4 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, March 15-17, 2024
Music from 16th-century France and Italy to the Harlem Renaissance
Classical music happening in the Philadelphia area this week, including performances from Piffaro, Artcinia, The Crossing, and Opera Philadelphia. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
3 minute read