We have a lot coming your way today! Let's get right to it.
Theater openings
Our writers are covering the latest at Delaware Theatre Company (Gail Obenreder is impressed by this swashbuckling new musical soaked in sea shanties), the world premiere of James Ijames's Wilderness Generation at PTC (critic Kiran Pandey has some candid points to make on the script), and [checks notes] I was out on the scene too, reviewing the Arden's adaptation of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. It's a great family ticket.
PLUS: Darnelle is on the podcast with Broadway icon and longtime Lin-Manuel Miranda collaborator Mandy Gonzalez, who is singing at Marian Anderson Hall this weekend. Don't miss their conversation.
Film, ceramics, dance, and FUNDING
On the film front, Stephen Silver was there for the opening of PSF SpringFest, and he reviews the new horror flick starring Adam Scott (in theaters soon). Gail (one of our busiest writers) took in a new show from Roberto Lugo at The Clay Studio (highly recommended). We welcome dance writer Lauren Berlin to BSR with her review of the latest from Koresh. And did you catch our feature last week on how massive Trump-era changes to our state arts funding infrastructure will impact Philly? Camille Bacon-Smith gets into it.
Big Book Week news!
We are thrilled to announce our fourth annual BSR Book Week, coming up May 17-23, with a big slate of book reviews coming your way in time to build your summer list. And our virtual author panel, happening on May 20 via Zoom. We're welcoming bestselling author Emma Copley Eisenberg, New York Times editor Ken Jaworowski, Philly fixture Nathaniel Popkin, and debut novelist Eshani Surya. Kyle will be moderating the discussion. Bring your questions and RSVP here. Tix are a suggested $10 donation to BSR, but you can pick your price.
A call for sources
One more thing: writer Wendy Univer is working on a follow-up to her January story about the Citywide James Ijames Pass. She wants to interview folks who bought the pass. Is that you? Want to chat? If so, reply to this email and we'll connect you.
Thanks for being here! Kyle will be with you tomorrow.
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
