I just want to take a minute to acknowledge, like we often do around here, that the national news cycle has been EXHAUSTING this week. With a firehose of political stories, we'd understand if you never wanted to look at your screen again. But you keep tuning in, week after week, for local independent arts coverage. This means a lot to us, and to the passionate artists we cover. You are not letting the world get you down, and you are continuing to show up for our community.
This week's stories
We have an exciting slate of fresh reviews for you this week: big theater openings at the Arden, InterAct, the Lantern, South Camden Theatre Company, and Theatre Exile. Josh Herren says The Mountaintop is not hagiography at all, "but a magical realist exploration of mortality, humanity, and the weight of leadership." Jill Ivey says Job leaves the audience breathless. Cameron Kelsall says a new staging of Macbeth is "utterly devoid of perspective." A. Lewis says director Zuhairah McGill's vision for Colman Domingo's Dot is "masterful." And Cameron says Walden's "skillful production unsettles as much as it disarms." (I saw Walden myself last week and I agree this is a very fine production. Get your tix.)
Plus, we have a review of a Philly author's debut novel taking aim at the beauty industry, and a conversation with Opera Philadelphia composer-in-residence Nathalie Joachim ahead of her concert at the Wanamaker next week. I predict this will sell out, so click through now.
Join our latest event!
We're excited to announce that our popular HELP US HELP YOU webinar, all about PR for small orgs and indie artists, is coming back next month. As we engage with our Philly arts colleagues, we continue to see a deep need for resources on public relations, including event promotions and relationships with the media. So for the third year, we're offering an updated version of our webinar all about the basics of arts PR. It's happening via Zoom at 6:30pm ET on Wednesday, December 10. Get your tickets now, and if you know someone who would benefit from accessible public relations tips, spread the word! Tickets are suggested $25 donation to BSR, but no-one is turned away for lack of funds.
We hope to see you on December 10! And our monthly donors have already gotten their invite to our "office hours" meetup tomorrow afternoon exclusively for BSR staff, writers, and Friends of BSR. If you want to join us, it's a great time to become a Friend and keep BSR publishing.
Take care of yourself as the news churns on. Kyle will be with you tomorrow, to ease you into the weekend.
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
