Philadelphia Quakers and the American Revolution, by Jeffrey A. Denman

Exploring the courage of pacifists and their complex Philadelphia legacy

Revolutionary-era Quakers, spurned by both loyalists and patriots, had to find their own way in 18th-century Philadelphia. A new book dives into their legacy. Rob Laymon reviews.

Rob Laymon

May 17, 2026 · Reviews · 5 minute read

Three Times a Mourner: Personal Essays on Grief and Healing, by Fredricka R. Maister

The transformations of mourning

As she explores three losses at different times in her life, memoirist Fredricka R. Maister reflects on the messy yet transformative power of facing grief in Three Times a Mourner: Personal Essays on Grief and Healing. Olivia J. B. Baxter reviews.

Olivia J. B. Baxter

May 17, 2026 · Reviews · 4 minute read

Lantern Theater Company presents Lloyd Suh’s Franklinland

A founding father’s flawed family

The Lantern celebrates 250 with the Philly premiere of Lloyd Suh’s Franklinland, about the fraught relationship between the famous founding father and his son William. Josh Herren reviews.

Josh Herren

May 15, 2026 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Azuka Theatre and Simpatico Theatre present Chaz T. Martin’s Class C

A timely world premiere about the loss of civil rights

A culture of distrust, fear, and dehumanization reaches a boiling point this timely world premiere production of Chaz T. Martin’s Class C. nat čermák reviews.

nat čermák

May 14, 2026 · Reviews · 3 minute read

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

May 13, 2026 · Reviews · 4 minute read

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

May 12, 2026 · Reviews · 4 minute read

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

May 12, 2026 · Reviews · 4 minute read

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

May 11, 2026 · Reviews · 4 minute read

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

May 11, 2026 · Reviews · 4 minute read

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

May 05, 2026 · Reviews · 4 minute read