We at BSR were devasted to see the news on Monday night that we have lost an extraordinary Philly artist. As I worked on this week's BSR stories through tears at my desk on Tuesday, I kept remembering a moment from a Martha Graham Cracker cabaret in 2017 when Dito van Reigersberg embraced a serendipitous serenade with someone I love. It helps to share it, and to round up some of our pieces about him over the years, so you can remember him too.
Our work here continues, even when we're sad. This week, we're reviewing the national tour of The Outsiders (in Philly through Sunday), the Arden's new production of Dear Evan Hansen, and the major Freedom Dreams exhibition at the Barnes. Wendy Univer follows up with audience members who bought the Citywide James Ijames Pass to find out what they thought of the program. And I share important updates about the current campaign to fund Philly arts, including an action you need to take this week.
If you're among the many Philly arts community members who are grieving today, we hope you can hold your friends close, and find some joy in the art we'll never stop making.
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
