Philadelphia Orchestra presents Stravinsky’s The Firebird

Welcoming spring with Stravinsky, Bartók, and Assiginaak

Whether or not it was intended, a spring program including Stravinsky, Bartók, and contemporary Canadian composer Barbara Assiginaak was a welcome reflection on musicians who have faced or presaged tyranny. Linda Holt reviews.

Linda Holt

Apr 07, 2025 · Reviews · 3 minute read

The Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia presents Highway 65 and Matchmaking 2

Movies celebrating the scope, diversity, and complexity of Israeli culture

The 29th annual Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia highlighted artists rarely seen on American screens for a lineup with plenty to offer local Israeli Americans as well as the non-Jewish community. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer reviews.

Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer

Apr 01, 2025 · Reviews · 5 minute read

Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers presents Luna (月): Dance, Myth, and Nature

Philadelphia treasures

Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers reflected on the moon in Luna (月): Dance, Myth, and Nature, with vibrant repertory works and striking world premieres by Weiwei Ma, Evalina Carbonell, and Kun-Yang Lin. Melissa Strong reviews.

Melissa Strong

Apr 01, 2025 · Reviews · 4 minute read

Hedgerow Theatre Company presents Tim Crouch’s I, Banquo

What would you do with a powerful prophecy?

Tim Crouch’s I, Banquo, onstage at Media’s Hedgerow Theatre, asks us in the words of Macbeth’s slain best friend what we would do if someone gave us a prophecy of absolute power. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer reviews.

Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer

Mar 31, 2025 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Ensemble Arts Philly and the Shubert Organization present the national tour of & Juliet

Baby one more time

The musical & Juliet flips the script on Shakespeare in the most delightful way, and it’s easily one of the most enjoyable and important Broadway exports that Philly has seen in years. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

Mar 27, 2025 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents pianist Leif Ove Andsnes

Music of home

In his debut recital with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, pianist Leif Ove Andsnes highlighted composers from his home country of Norway. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

Mar 25, 2025 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Philadelphia Ballet presents Boléro, Water Dances, and Dance Card

A triple bill of intense dance

Philadelphia Ballet, celebrating 60 years and its new home on Broad Street, brought a triple bill that enthralled with tension. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

Camille Bacon-Smith

Mar 25, 2025 · Reviews · 4 minute read

Theatre Horizon presents Lauren Yee’s Young Americans: A Play in Two Road Trips

Americans on the road

In Lauren Yee’s Young Americans, onstage at Theatre Horizon, members of one family take a cross-country road trip 20 years apart, exploring how they understand each other as family and as Americans. Emily Esten reviews.

Emily Esten

Mar 24, 2025 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Fever Dream Repertory presents Bruce Walsh’s james

A Taptacular transformation

Fever Dream Repertory presents the world premiere of Bruce Walsh’s james at the upstairs Skinner Studio at Plays and Players about an everyman who wins a makeover at the Super Bowl. Joshua Herren reviews.

Josh Herren

Mar 24, 2025 · Reviews · 2 minute read

Quintessence presents Shakespeare’s Midsummer and Antony & Cleopatra in rep

Passion’s slaves: the Reckless Romance Repertory

Mt. Airy’s Quintessence welcomes spring with repertory productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony & Cleopatra, an ambitious and ultimately successful undertaking by director Alex Burns. C.M. Crockford reviews.

C.M. Crockford

Mar 24, 2025 · Reviews · 3 minute read