This week, we're continuing a BSR conversation that started a few weeks ago with our review of the new Macbeth onstage at Quintessence Theatre Group, then a podcast interview and a passionate op-ed. I wanted to hear from the artist in question, and fortunately, director Alex Burns agreed to sit down with me and discuss the community response to his latest all-male Shakespeare production. That piece is waiting for you below.
Why keep this conversation open, instead of finishing it with a review? Well, first of all, we at BSR believe that reviews are supposed to start conversations, not end them. But even more importantly, we think everyone should be paying attention to issues of gender representation and inclusion in our cultural sector. Sometimes, a particular event cracks open a new chance for that conversation. We're going to keep jumping in.
We at BSR have a long history of bringing community concerns directly to Philly's artistic leadership, which we think is exactly what an arts media outlet ought to do. My recent interview with Alex Burns reminded me of a story from 10 years ago(!), when I interviewed Lantern artistic director Charles McMahon about a Japan-"influenced" production of Julius Caesar that didn't include any Japanese artists. I also love my predecessor Wendy Rosenfield's pointed opinion piece from that same year about the critic's responsibility to question artistic leadership.
This is probably a good time to remind everyone about our May 29 webinar: BAD REVIEWS: How to write them, and why we need them. This will be a great conversation not just for writers, but for anyone interested in the professional critic's process. We hope you can join us! Register, attend live, or watch a recording later.
In the meantime, don't miss this week's stories, including reviews of top films from PFS Springfest, PHILADANCO!, a show about trees at the Museum for Art in Wood, a truly scary play in Delaware, and more. Read on!
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
