The Inquirer's dwindling theater coverage

…And then there were none: The Inquirer's last theater critic

Howard Shapiro, the Inquirer's last full-time theater critic, was recently reassigned, leaving the theater beat to be handled by free-lancers. Is this how a major metropolitan newspaper covers one of Philadelphia's most exciting continuing stories?

SaraKay Smullens

Oct 16, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Next to Normal' at the Arden (2nd review)

Up from normality

Diana, the obsessively grieving mother in Next to Normal, has more than her share of hangups. But she's far less dangerous than the “normal” relatives and mental health professionals who attend her.

Jackie Schifalacqua

Oct 16, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

'Mark Twain' at People's Light

Tried and true

A one-man show about Mark Twain isn't exactly an original idea, but with material like this, who cares?

Bill Murphy

Oct 15, 2012 · Articles · 2 minute read

"This Is the Week That Is,' by 1812 Productions (2nd review)

The case for live political satire

Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert may be the kings of political satire, but there's no substitute for a live revue that involves the audience— especially when the troupe in question hits its target more often than, say, “Saturday Night Live.”

Steve Cohen

Oct 09, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

EgoPo's "Jesse James'

Robin Hood he wasn't

From dime novels, folk songs and contemporary newspaper stories about Jesse James and his gang, EgoPo has ingeniously cobbled together the sort of vaudeville show that would have pandered to the bank robber's devotees after his murder in 1882.

Steve Cohen

Oct 08, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Next to Normal' at the Arden (1st review)

The things we notice when we turn down the volume

Unlike the Broadway musical, which looked and sounded like a rock concert, Terrence Nolen's Arden production brings out the quiet yet deep emotions of a family dealing with illness and loss.

Steve Cohen

Oct 06, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

"This Is The Week That Is' by 1812 Productions (1st review)

Are politicians funny?

Once again, the 1812 troupe is trying to replicate the sort of political satire that Letterman, Leno, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert deliver so much better every night on TV.

Dan Rottenberg

Oct 04, 2012 · Articles · 2 minute read

A Yom Kippur question for Spinoza

Did Spinoza fast on Yom Kippur?

On Yom Kippur, I couldn't help wondering: How did Spinoza feel about being barred from the observation of this day, the most holy in the Jewish calendar?

Steve Cohen

Oct 02, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Idiopathic's "Ivona' at the Fringe Festival

I kiss your hand (and other Polish delusions of the '30s)

With Ivona, Witold Gombrowicz courageously lampooned the pretentiousness of Poland's upper class just before the Nazis took over. Ivona, Princess of Burgundia. By Witold Gombrowicz; Tina Brock directed. Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium production September 5-23, 2012 at Walnut Street Theatre's Studio 5, 825 Walnut St. (215) 285-0472 or www.idiopathicridiculopathyconsortium.org.

Steve Cohen

Oct 01, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Poetry Brothel' at Live Arts Festival

Why didn‘t Emily Dickinson think of this?

In the best of all worlds, we'd get our kicks from poetry instead of sex. That's what happened one night at the Live Arts Festival.

C. Natale Peditto

Sep 28, 2012 · Articles · 2 minute read