Reviews

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Scene from September 5: An early 1970s newsroom crowded with anxious male journalists.

The 2024 Philadelphia Film Festival presents Tim Fehlbaum’s September 5 and Sean Baker's Anora

The 33rd Philadelphia Film Festival kicks off with two great new movies

The Philadelphia Film Festival kicks off its 2024 screenings with September 5 and Anora, two great films sure to draw a lot of buzz as they head into their upcoming releases. Stephen Silver reviews.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Reviews 5 minute read
14 period musicians & vocalists perform on a chancel with a flying Renaissance Cupid projected large on a curtain behind them

Piffaro and TENET present Triomphi: Petrarch’s Triumphs Expressed in Music of the Italian Renaissance

A musical tribute to the founder of Humanism

In a glorious season opener, Renaissance band Piffaro and the vocalists of TENET explored the musical world of the great poet Francesco Petrarch, including his unfulfilled lifelong love. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Reviews 5 minute read
A stylish, simple bronze chair with front and back legs like an Afro pick, with the handle forming the chair’s back.

The Wexler Gallery presents Jomo Tariku’s Juxtaposed

A fresh take on old and new art

Ethiopian American artist and design star Jomo Tariku, whose work spans from the PMA and the Smithsonian to Marvel’s onscreen Wakanda, gets his first-ever solo show at Fishtown’s Wexler Gallery. An Nichols reviews.
An Nichols

An Nichols

Reviews 4 minute read
Three characters, mouths agape—maybe singing. Aprons and food service attire, hold a tray with three cups, milk, and pitcher

Theatre Horizon presents Jonathan Larson's tick, tick…BOOM!

In Norristown, Larson lives

Jonathan Larson’s early 1990s one-man show continues to find new life in light of his legacy with a production by Theatre Horizon. Stephen Silver previews.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Reviews 3 minute read
Lutz in character on stage, hands folded, seated. Background is dimly lit, Lutz’s face stern

The Strides Collective presents Matt Shvyrkov’s Confabulation

Having a lot of character

The Strides Collective presents Matt Shvyrkov’s Confabulation, a frequently engaging portrait of misfits that seems at odds with its overly ambiguous structure. Kiran Pandey reviews.
Kiran Pandey

Kiran Pandey

Reviews 4 minute read
4 actors of different races and genders crowd around Lexi Thammavong at center, who holds an iPhone, looking worried.

1812 Productions presents This Is the Week That Is

Outdated election-year satire

1812’s popular political satire revue This Is the Week That Is returns to Plays & Players to take on the 2024 election in its 19th edition. But out-of-touch sketches offer mostly limp laughs. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 2 minute read
Droxler, a white man in a plaid button-down, sits on a couch looking slightly afraid, holding a fringed blanket above him

Hedgerow Theatre presents Dave Droxler’s Robin & Me: My Little Spark of Madness

A marvelous madcap journey in time

This solo show from Delco native Dave Droxler mixes his real-life childhood in the Philly burbs with his love for a slew of comedians, especially his imaginary friend and real idol, Robin Williams. Erin Dohony reviews.
Erin Dohony

Erin Dohony

Reviews 3 minute read
In colorful pants and a bright yellow jacket, Merci performs stand-up comedy in her role, the mic in one hand.

Philadelphia Theatre Company and Edgewood Entertainment present Erlina Ortiz’s La Egoísta

Who gets to be selfish?

In Erlina Ortiz’s La Egoísta, now getting its Philly premiere at PTC, two very different sisters (one an irreverent comedian and the other a devoutly Christian bank employee) navigate the demands of career and caretaking. Krista Mar reviews.
Krista Mar

Krista Mar

Reviews 3 minute read
Hernandez as Cyrano, with a very large nose, turns sadly away while Miller passionately kisses Bridge, in a ruffled skirt.

Quintessence Theatre Group presents Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, adapted by Martin Crimp

A classic tale with contemporary flair

Quintessence kicks off its 15th anniversary season with a bold adaptation of Cyrano, casting the charismatic yet insecure hero as a defiant poet fighting against mediocrity and bourgeois conformity. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 2 minute read
Show logo. Company, title, and author in white over a roaring grizzly bear rearing out of flames, and a brown-wrapped package

Fever Dream Repertory presents Steve Yockey’s Mercury

A queer, occult delight

Fever Dream Repertory, a new local company, lands at Plays and Players for the Philly premiere of Mercury, a pitch-black horror comedy that evokes Hitchcock’s comedy and a queer and bloody Twilight Zone. C.M. Crockford reviews.
C.M. Crockford

C.M. Crockford

Reviews 3 minute read