Two people wear reindeer hats. Holiday lights surround the photo frame. A person dressed in black dances in the background

The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, December 11-17, 2025

Alice, Homeboyz In Innerspace, and reindeer games
Holiday performances in abundance, plus art sales supporting marginalized communities, and a new exhibit opens at TILT. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Kyle V. Hiller

Kyle V. Hiller

Previews 4 minute read
Mixed media art. Three different poses by Betty Boop over piano keys, stacks of money, and other artifacts.

Showcasing visibility and connection at the 2025 Trans Art Mart

Understanding identity
The 2025 Trans Art Mart highlights trans, non-binary, and gender expansive artists and makers in Philly. Erin Dohony previews.
Erin Dohony

Erin Dohony

Previews 3 minute read
Daytime view of two white outdoor holiday shopping booths that require people to step up into them.

As 2026 approaches, why does Philly enforce health and safety codes, but not access codes?

Without access plans for America’s 250th anniversary in Philly, we risk exclusion, liability, and crisis.
Disability Pride PA leader Vicki Landers asks why the City can enforce health and safety violations, but ignores chronic shortfalls in disability access. As 2026 looms, time is running out to avert a crisis for locals and visitors alike.
Vicki Landers

Vicki Landers

Essays 5 minute read
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A group of teens and adults pose for a camera in a small black box theater space

Bringing improv to classrooms with the Unscripted Project

“Building confident young people”
The Unscripted Project brings improv comedy to high school classrooms, teaching students skills and values of confidence and community. Kiran Pandey profiles.
Kiran Pandey

Kiran Pandey

Profiles 3 minute read
Robinson, a Black woman with glasses and long braids, holds a red box on a stage with fanciful blue and red-lit windows.

Inis Nua and Tiny Dynamite present Ian Kershaw’s The Greatest Play in the History of the World…

A play, a pie, and a pleasure
The Greatest Play in the History of the World… brings together Inis Nua Theatre Company and Tiny Dynamite for a delightful mash-up of sci-fi and rom-com. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 3 minute read
7 actors pose in a jubilant V, wearing Eagles gear, against a green neon Philly skyline & “Wicked Philly style” projections

1812 Productions presents This Is The Week That Is: 20th Anniversary Special

Can a stage show riff on today’s news cycle?
1812’s annual satirical variety show is back for its 20th year with a strong cast and design, but some missed opportunities in its sketches. Walt Maguire reviews.

Walt Maguire

Reviews 3 minute read
Costanzo sings, to his left is a conductor using their hands, on a stage with bright yellow-gold-ish pillars behind them

BSR Classical Interludes: more in December 2025

More holiday cheer and beyond for the Philly area
A birthday party for Beethoven, music from Puerto Rico, and holiday feats decorate the rest of the month. Gail Obenreder previews.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Previews 4 minute read
Seven ballet dancers make a graceful sculpture from the ground to an extended lift, with a percussionist at right.

BalletX brings world premieres to Bryn Mawr this December

A knack for new voices
BalletX in Bryn Mawr features premieres by choreographic fellow Christian Denice and company dancers, along with an audience favorite. Melissa Strong previews.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Previews 3 minute read
Collage of Sommer and Darnelle with mics, with a cityscape behind them and the Walnut's show logo above.

The BSR Podcast: Dive into December theater with Darnelle

Sit down with the stars of the Walnut's 'Christmas Story' and 'Pirates of Penzance' at Quintessence
This December is full of theater options, and they're not all A Christmas Carol. Darnelle dives into productions at the Walnut and Quintessence with the stars of the show.
Darnelle Radford

Darnelle Radford

Podcast 1 minute read
14 period musicians and singers in formalwear perform in a semicircle on a church chancel with a brick floor & wood paneling

Piffaro and TENET Vocal Artists present Ein Kind Geborn: A German Christmas

Celebrating a Renaissance composer who is justly famous today
Piffaro teams with TENET Vocal Artists for a memorable Christmas concert celebrating prolific Renaissance composer Michael Praetorius, whose music is still beloved today. The concert will stream starting December 18. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Reviews 4 minute read
Five dancers with different skin tones pose together, limbs extended, in colorful frilled costumes reminiscent of the 1600s

PHILADANCO! presents Then and Now

After touring Germany, PHILADANCO! comes home
After a sold-out tour in Germany, PHILADANCO! brought a mix of popular, re-envisioned works and a premiere by rising choreographer Juel D. Lane to the Perelman stage. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Reviews 4 minute read
Close-up on many hands of diverse people in a huddle, in different stages of reaching out and grasping each other.

Philly arts and culture PR is suffering. Here’s why that matters to audiences.

It’s getting harder for us to work with the arts institutions we cover.
With nearly 20 years as a journalist on Philly’s arts and culture scene, Alaina Johns has a clear eye on its trends, including a worrying situation with arts PR that affects everyone, including audiences.
Alaina Johns

Alaina Johns

Editorials 6 minute read
Two tiny human figures in circus costumes venture in a nighttime wood of tall, naked, foreboding black trees.

The Barnes Foundation presents Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets

Enchanting mysteries endure
An enchanting new exhibition at the Barnes exploring the weird, unsettling, and captivating world of Henri Rousseau will travel to Paris next spring. Emily Schilling reviews.
Emily Schilling

Emily Schilling

Reviews 5 minute read

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Mullen, in a red 19th-century British officer costume, sings with his hands spread while the costumed listens anxiously.

Quintessence Theatre presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance

Savoyard shipwreck
Quintessence Theatre forays into operetta with The Pirates of Penzance, but the company doesn’t seem to trust the material. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 3 minute read
Two women around a piano on stage. One sits at the piano playing the keys, another is at a desk close by writing

The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, December 4-10, 2025

Little Women, Slay Bells Ring, and the Philly Rare Book Fair
Previewing the week, with features from Hedgerow Theatre Company, the Arden, InterAct, and the Philadelphia Gay Man’s Chorus. Kyle V. Hiller previews.
Kyle V. Hiller

Kyle V. Hiller

Previews 3 minute read
A dancer on stage in white tutu extends her left leg up and out, right arm up, on her right toes. Dancers behind her on stage

Philadelphia Ballet presents The Nutcracker

Tutus bring the sparkle
This year's production of Nutcracker from Philadelphia Ballet finds magic and sparkle in its tutus. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Previews 3 minute read
Nézet-Séguin on stage conducting, wearing a festive blazer and a Christmas tree slightly out of focus in background

BSR Classical Interludes, December 2025

Carols and chamber music for the holiday
Covering the first half of the month with classical music offerings, with a few in the holiday spirit. Gail Obenreder previews.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Previews 4 minute read
Five youth dancers are center stage, four adult dancers at opposite ends of stage. A muslin wall that look like a ball hall

The Month in Philly Dance, December 2025

Nutcrackers abound!
A roundup of Nutcrackers shows in Philly, and a variety of other non-holiday-inspired dance performances happening this month. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Previews 4 minute read
Movie poster in black and white, with Uma Thurman’s character’s face split between a sword

The BSR December 2025 repertory movie roundup

It’s a Wonderful Whole Bloody Affair Life
A special screening of the Kill Bill duology, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Shining, and the holiday classic It's A Wonderful Life screen in the Philly area. Stephen Silver previews.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Previews 4 minute read
The multiracial ensemble, in 19th-century costumes, gathers lovingly around a piano onstage that one person plays.

Hedgerow Theatre Company presents Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, adapted by Kate Hamill

A new take on Alcott has very mixed success
Hedgerow Theatre Company stages a highly questionable adaptation of Little Women that gives the audience whiplash at its conclusion. Mina Reinckens reviews.
Mina Reinckens

Mina Reinckens

Reviews 4 minute read
A lumpy light-brown “snowperson” creature with button eyes, a top hat, and a snail for hair is both friendly and creepy.

Woodmere Art Museum presents Peter Paone’s Snowpeople

Wintry creatures celebrate the opening of Woodmere’s new Maguire Hall
The Woodmere marks the opening of its new Maguire Hall with prolific Philly painter and printmaker Peter Paone’s Snowpeople, an arresting look at a traditionally cheery sculptural medium. K.A. McFadden reviews.
K.A. McFadden

K.A. McFadden

Reviews 5 minute read
View from below of the giant Christmas tree, decked in blue lights, above the massive Wanamaker Organ.

The Wanamaker Light Show is back for 2025, along with new surprises

Philly pulls together to save a favorite Christmas tradition for another year
Beloved Christmas attractions at the Wanamaker faced an uncertain future after Macy's closed earlier this year, but Philly pulled together to bring them back for 2025. McCaillaigh Rouse has the details.
McCaillaigh Rouse

McCaillaigh Rouse

Features 6 minute read
A display featuring a huge black & white photo of the 1963 march, letting the viewer imagine what King saw during his speech.

The Museum of the American Revolution presents The Declaration’s Journey

The Declaration heard ’round the world
A new exhibition at the Museum of the American Revolution examines the ripple effects of our Declaration, at home and abroad, in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Constance Garcia-Barrio reviews.
Constance Garcia-Barrio

Constance Garcia-Barrio

Reviews 4 minute read