Reviews

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FAT SWIM

Fat Swim, by Emma Copley Eisenberg

Living in a human body is like living in Philadelphia

A highly anticipated short-story collection from bestselling Philly author Emma Copley Eisenberg makes a splash for anyone who knows the messy, exuberant challenges and joys of having a body. Jordan Cameron reviews.
Jordan Cameron

Jordan Cameron

Reviews 4 minute read
Partly Strong Partly Broken

Partly Strong, Partly Broken, by Nathaniel Popkin

A house divided

In the weeks leading up to October 7th, 2023, a progressive Rabbi struggles to keep her congregation together in Nathaniel Popkin’s Partly Strong, Partly Broken. Elisa Shoenberger reviews.
Elisa Shoenberger

Elisa Shoenberger

Reviews 4 minute read
Finister & Holum, in late 19th-century professional garb, smile and clasp hands at the top of a staircase on the set.

People’s Light presents Suli Holum’s The Woman Question

A “docu-fantasy” celebrating historic real-life med students in Philadelphia

A new show at People’s Light mixes the imagination of playwright Suli Holum with a documentary history of the world’s first medical school for women in 1890s Philadelphia. Emily Schilling reviews.
Emily Schilling

Emily Schilling

Reviews 4 minute read
Seven cast members, in funeral black, stand somberly in the line with their hands joined on a stage designed like a chancel.

South Camden Theatre Company presents Douglas Lyons’s Chicken and Biscuits

Last rites and first blows

South Camden Theatre Company continues its season-long “Laughing through the Storm” theme with Chicken and Biscuits by Douglas Lyons, about a family navigating old tensions at its patriarch’s funeral. A. Lewis reviews.

A. Lewis

Reviews 4 minute read
Ressler & Soro face each other smiling, wearing flashy 90s clothes. Soro speaks into a mic. They hold American Girl dolls.

The Bearded Ladies Cabaret and FringeArts present Jackie Soro and Pax Ressler’s GIRL DOLLS: The American Musical

A seat at the tea party

GIRL DOLLS: The American Musical, a world premiere show from The Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Jackie Soro, and Pax Ressler, takes on gender, toys, and American childhood with music and humor. Melissa Strong reviews.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Reviews 4 minute read
In colorful 1920s evening wear, the cast dances on the edge of semicircular stage decorated like a jazz club.

Theatre Horizon presents Fats Waller’s Ain’t Misbehavin’

Celebrating the music of a Harlem Renaissance icon

Theatre Horizon closes the season with Ain’t Misbehavin’, the 1978 jukebox musical set in the 1920s jazz world of prolific Harlem Renaissance composer Fats Waller. An Nichols reviews.
An Nichols

An Nichols

Reviews 4 minute read
Childs, a 57-year-old white woman in a black dress, smiles ruefully as she holds up a purple satin corset.

1812 Productions presents Jen Childs’s She Gets Around

A closet memoir

A new solo show from Jennifer Childs takes audiences inside her closet for the stories that made her the comedy actor she is today, inspired by a lifetime of outfits. Walt Maguire reviews.

Walt Maguire

Reviews 3 minute read
A person in a silky white garment with a long train sweeps it around them, lit by dramatic blue and pink light.

Butch Mermaid Productions presents Ania Upstill and Danielle Levsky’s Sappho's Salon

Recreating a historic queer literary parlor

A West Philly Victorian house becomes a historic salon inspired by Selby Wynn Schwartz’s novel After Sappho, in this immersive performance from Ania Upstill and Danielle Levsky. An Nichols reviews.
An Nichols

An Nichols

Reviews 4 minute read
Liang, in blue behind Golz in pale pink, holds her hands as her arms extend in sweeping en point pose, one foot pointing up

Philadelphia Ballet presents Juliano Nunes’s Romeo and Juliet

Love in the time of politics

A new Romeo and Juliet from Philadelphia Ballet choreographer-in-residence Juliano Nunes updates the tale with staggering success, while honoring Prokofiev’s romantic score. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Reviews 4 minute read
Dance like its 1829 BSR 5 4 26

Philadelphia Dance Projects presents Putty Dance Project’s Dance Like it’s 1829

Philadelphia’s story in motion

Putty Dance Project’s Dance Like It’s 1829 celebrates the historic power of Philadelphia music and dance through world-premiere choreography set to the work of pioneering instrumentalist and composer Francis Johnson. Melissa Strong reviews.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Reviews 4 minute read