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Beverly, an aged Black woman, lies in a hospital bed, talking to Finister beside her, who smiles & wears a blue cardigan.

Arden Theatre Company presents Lorene Cary’s Ladysitting

Hospice, history, and honesty

This triumphant premiere based on Lorene Cary’s 2019 memoir about caring for her 99-year-old Nana explores the burden and privilege of caretaking, interwoven with family stories that illustrate America’s history. Emily B. Schilling reviews.

Emily Schilling

Jan 29, 2024 Reviews 3 minute read

Profitt, in a modest pink dress with a high cowl neckline, smiles wistfully while resting her cheek on one hand.

Act II Playhouse presents Eric H. Weinberger and Elaine Bromka’s Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat, and Betty

Inside the First Lady’s office

Sabrina Proffit stars in this popular one-woman show exploring the real lives of Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, and Betty Ford at Act II Playhouse. Does it connect to presidential politics today? Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer reviews.

Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer

Jan 29, 2024 Reviews 3 minute read

6 dancers in roomy sheer white outfits form a zigzag in the air with their bodies, all leaping in the same angular pose.

Penn Live Arts presents BODYTRAFFIC, with works by Trey McIntyre and Matthew Neenan

A universal human language

LA-based dance troupe BODYTRAFFIC takes an inclusive perspective on contemporary dance featuring a world premiere by Matthew Neenan and a repertory work by Trey McIntyre. Melissa Strong reviews.

Melissa Strong

Jan 23, 2024 Reviews 5 minute read

Close-up high-contrast black & white photo of an Indian toddler with huge eyes and plaintive expression.

The Mütter Museum presents Unhoused: Personal Stories and Public Health

Facing homelessness

The Mütter Museum displays arresting visual projects by Leah den Bok and Willie Baronet that illuminate and humanize homelessness. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Jan 22, 2024 Reviews 5 minute read

Against a black backdrop, a man wearing black plays the cello, in the middle of a large diagonal crinkled abstract sculpture.

Bowerbird and the Pig Iron School present Bartok’s Monster

Drowning out the music

The music of Béla Bartok speaks better than its pretentious interlocutors in Bartok’s Monster, a collaboration of Sebastienne Mundheim and the Pig Iron School, inspired by Penn lecturer Jay Kirk’s book. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

Jan 22, 2024 Reviews 3 minute read

On a living-room set with tall bookshelves and midcentury furniture, the four characters raise a toast to each other.

Walnut Street Theatre presents Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

The last word on the drawing-room play

The Walnut Street Theatre revives Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to explosive effect, conjuring the delicate illusions of Albee’s most famous play. Kiran Pandey reviews.

Kiran Pandey

Jan 22, 2024 Reviews 4 minute read

Montano, at right in an empty stable, kneels and clasps his hands at a low table, with a glass of liquor at his elbow.

People’s Light presents Robert Montano’s Small

Small tales

Actor and dancer Robert Montano, of Broadway’s Cats and many other stage and screen roles, reveals his early years as a racing jockey in this one-man show. Josh Herren reviews.

Josh Herren

Jan 16, 2024 Reviews 2 minute read

The book cover: title above in black & white text, over a slow-shutter image of a Barnes gallery with a blurry walking figure

The Barnes Then and Now: Dialogues on Education, Installation, and Social Justice, edited by Martha Lucy

Putting the collection in context

A new book edited by the Barnes Foundation’s deputy director for research, interpretation, and education gathers perspectives on the famous (and famously polarizing) collection of Albert Barnes in its 21st-century home. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Jan 15, 2024 Reviews 6 minute read

Conallen, in plaid jacket, and Stanley, in sweater vest, lean with gentle smiles across a desk looking at each other’s phones

Theatre Exile presents Samuel D. Hunter’s A Case for the Existence of God

God is in the details

Despite its weighty title, Samuel D. Hunter’s A Case for the Existence of God at Theatre Exile considers questions of humanity and friendship, and it's among the first must-see shows of the year. Cameron Kelsall reviews.