The Wilma Theater presents Rajiv Joseph’s Archduke

Three boys enter a train car

Blanka Zizka returns to the Wilma for the regional premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s Archduke, a fast-moving, boldly designed meditation on an eerily relevant history and the choices we make to engage or resist violence. Josh Herren reviews.

Josh Herren

Apr 22, 2025 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Arden Theatre Company presents J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, adapted by Greg Banks

Small stage, epic journey

Arden Children’s Theatre welcomes youngsters and families to The Hobbit, an ingenious ensemble show that proves we can do great things no matter how small we are—a message we all sorely need. Josh Herren reviews.

Josh Herren

Apr 21, 2025 · Reviews · 2 minute read

InterAct Theatre Company presents Gabriel Jason Dean’s Rift: or White Lies

Brothers, inside and out

Philly actors Jered McLenigan and Matteo Scammell trade off roles in Rift: or White Lies, now getting its rolling world premiere at InterAct, about two brothers with very different lives struggling to find common ground. Alaina Johns reviews.

Alaina Johns

Apr 15, 2025 · Reviews · 4 minute read

People’s Light presents Noah Haidle’s Birthday Candles

Celebration of life

Superbly produced by People’s Light, Noah Haidle’s Birthday Candles sensitively balances the sentimental and the profound as it follows one extraordinary, ordinary woman through her long life. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

Apr 14, 2025 · Reviews · 3 minute read

The Walnut Street Theatre presents Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger’s Dreamgirls

Glitter, glam, and heart

A new production of Dreamgirls at the Walnut brings powerful vocals to a show that will offer fresh insights even for longtime fans of the story. Maya Arthur reviews.

Maya Arthur

Apr 08, 2025 · Reviews · 3 minute read

The BSR Podcast: Talking Philly Theatre Week 2025 with Theatre Philadelphia's CJ Higgins

Go behind the scenes of Philly's spring theater fest (it's pay-what-you-can!)

BSR Podcast host Darnelle Radford sits down with Theatre Philadelphia's CJ Higgins to talk all things Philly Theatre Week 2025 (the eighth annual), including shows, workshops, and other industry events.

Darnelle Radford

Mar 31, 2025 · Podcast · 1 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

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