Reviews

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Full view of Marian Anderson Hall stage, with the whole orchestra, Nézet-Séguin conducting, Ax playing a grand piano at front

Philadelphia Orchestra presents Emanuel Ax Performs Beethoven

A premiere, an anniversary, and a marathon

A marathon musical outing with the Philadelphia Orchestra covered two Brahms symphonies and celebrated the 50th anniversary of pianist Emanuel Ax’s debut with the Philadelphians. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 4 minute read
Barbosa, in a long swingy light satin dress, and Montepara, in white & black formals, balance in a dynamic pose, hands joined

BalletX presents the first decade of its 20th Anniversary Retrospective

A ballet powerhouse goes back to the beginning

Philly’s own BalletX celebrates two great decades with its 20th Anniversary Retrospective, featuring 20 dances in two programs. Melissa Strong reviews Program A: The First Decade.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Reviews 4 minute read
Dozens of people on the floor of the planetarium watch a film of papers whirling in the sky onscreen above them.

The Franklin Institute and the Galleries at Moore College present Michelle Lopez: Pandemonium

Enter the twister of American history

The Franklin Institute and Moore College partner for Michelle Lopez: Pandemonium, an enveloping reminder that America has been here before, and it’s our turn to find a response in the wind. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Reviews 5 minute read
Munir, a Black man in a green tee, next to a utility pole with an orange Wawa crate on it, points in a dynamic pose.

Azuka and Simpatico Theatres present Khalil Munir’s 1 Pound 4 Ounces

A Philly playwright’s ode to the city that made him

For their new partnership, Azuka and Simpatico team with Khalil Munir for 1 Pound 4 Ounces, a “very Black Philly” world premiere that feels like a perfect synthesis of both companies. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 2 minute read
Higdon & Nézet-Séguin stand together on the podium, orchestra around them, smiling and raising their clasped hands.

The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Sibelius, Higdon, and Tchaikovsky

Homegrown classical

The Philadelphia Orchestra revisited Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto for Orchestra, written for them in 2002, in a thrilling program including soloist Lisa Batiashvili in the Violin Concerto of Jean Sibelius. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 2 minute read
Morrison, in her late 60s but dressed as a teen, smiles shyly at Gil, a young man, in front of blue school lockers.

Ensemble Arts Philly and the Shubert Organization present the national tour of Kimberly Akimbo

The oldest living girl in New Jersey

The quirky and endearing musical, Kimberly Akimbo, comes to Philadelphia through Sunday, November 2, 2025, as part of a national tour. It fits surprisingly well into the Academy of Music. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 3 minute read
Book cover, shadows of two people in motion superimposed over the shadow of a horse. Book title, author name in large titles

MOUNTED: On Horses, Blackness, and Liberation, by Bitter Kalli

Giddy on up

This new collection of essays looks into the history of Blackness and horses. Dr. Lindsay Gary previews.
Lindsay Gary

Lindsay Gary

Reviews 3 minute read

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Closeup on the two actors, in lush period costumes, embracing in a wistful, romantic way.

OperaDelaware presents Puccini’s Tosca

An opera masterwork remains timeless

Puccini’s Tosca is a classic for a reason, and a new production by OperaDelaware proved that this masterwork remains timeless and stirring. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Reviews 5 minute read
Carter, in a sexy black lace shirt, speaks to Silano, who wears a satiny purple dress and looks perturbed.

Curio Theatre Company presents Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen’s Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors

Bite marks and belly laughs

Curio Theatre Company’s Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a gleefully unhinged retelling of the Bram Stoker classic in the spirit of Monty Python and Charles Ludlam. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 2 minute read
In a set like a 19th century home, Dolan, in green, holds an axe, facing forward. At right, her parents, in black, cower

Philadelphia Ballet presents An Evening of Horror

Ballet meets spooky season, for grownups

Philadelphia Ballet dances to the dark side in An Evening of Horror, featuring a resonant ballet about Lizzy Borden and the world premiere of Juliano Nunes’s Valley of Death. Melissa Strong reviews.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Reviews 3 minute read