Macbeth, OperaPHL, Celtic music for St. Patrick’s Day, and Freedom Seder

The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 16-22, 2023

3 minute read
Sorey in a studio space. Standing, he’s surrounded by a variety of percussion instruments and microphones.
Tyshawn Sorey will perform at Opera Philadelphia’s concert celebrating its residents from the last decade. (Photo by John Rogers.)

Coming up this week, Macbeth takes the stage over in New Jersey at the Ritz Theatre, taking messages from the classic and applying them to the contemporary world. Then, Uptown! starts the party for St. Patrick’s Day and Asian Arts Initiative hosts an integral Korean art exhibition. Be sure to check out the legacy Opera Philadelphia has been building over the last 10 years, and prepare for Passover with the inclusive Freedom Seder.

Macbeth
March 17-April 2
Ritz Theatre Company, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township

The New Jersey theater company opens its run of Macbeth this week, kicking off their spring season. The production is helmed by five-time Barrymore Award winner Mary Martello as director, who says of the classic play in a press release: “Witnessing Macbeth’s fall from grace is like seeing a car crash: we cannot look away. … The recognition that it could be us; the relief that it is not us, is what compels us to put ourselves in Macbeth’s shoes and follow his story to its inevitable and tragic end. I hope that audiences walk away realizing that we are all ultimately the author of our own life.”

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Uptown!
Friday, March 17, 7:30pm
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 North High Street, West Chester

Uptown! hosts Cormorant’s Fancy, a seven-member, cross-generational group performing authentic Celtic music, for a one-night special event.

Marvel's Black Panther with the Philadelphia Orchestra
March 17-19
Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Cultural Campus, 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia

I can't believe it's already been seven years, but the Philadelphia Orchestra will be performing the 2018 film's Oscar-winning score along with the movie this weekend.

A Civilization of Peace: Korea’s Past, Present, and Future
Friday, March 17, 5pm
Saturday, March 18, 10am-5pm
Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia

Coming on the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, this art exhibit features 5,000 years of history with modern art from both North and South Korea right here in Philadelphia. Day one features the art, film, and culture pieces from ancient and modern contributions, and day two hosts a day of panels and discussions “to uncover a path toward peace for Korea and for the American people in a time of global change.”

The decade with Opera Philadelphia
Saturday, March 18, 6pm
Perelman Theater at Kimmel Cultural Campus, 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia

Opera Philadelphia celebrates a decade of its composers in residence this weekend, bringing all eight of them together for a night of performances. The musicians have created more than 20 new operas, many of which have received worldwide recognition and acclaim, including Missy Mazzoli, David Hertzberg, Rene Orth, Tyshawn Sorey, and more.

Freedom Seder Revisited
Monday, March 20, 6pm
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall E, Philadelphia

As Passover approaches, the Weitzman invites people of all backgrounds to a Passover seder-inspired evening. A curated lineup of storytellers, speakers, and songsters will reflect on Passover themes and includes PHonk!, Philly creative director Elaine S. Holton, Mexican violinist and jarana player Ximena Violante, comedians Betty Smithsonian and Geoff Jackson, queer spiritual and theological thinker Pauli Reese, and many more.

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