'Curse of the Starving Class' at the Wilma (1st review)

Day of reckoning

Eastern urbanites may scratch their heads over the terminally dysfunctional rural family portrayed in Curse of the Starving Class. But Sam Shepard's caricature offers a profound allegory of the unintended consequences of the opening of the American West, more than a century after there was no more West left to open.

Dan Rottenberg

Mar 15, 2012 · Articles · 7 minute read

Lantern's "Romeo and Juliet' (3rd review)

Our grief counselors are standing by….

The Lantern's straightforward production of Romeo and Juliet got me thinking: What would become of these young lovers today, when instead of turning to a priest they could seek out Dr. Phil?

Jackie Schifalacqua

Mar 13, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Lantern's "Romeo and Juliet' (2nd review)

On the mean streets of Verona

The Lantern's Romeo and Juliet is an American production in the best sense of the word: fresh, brisk and inventive, with insightful direction by Charles McMahon and an able and energetic cast.

Robert Zaller

Mar 13, 2012 · Articles · 7 minute read

Albee's "Lady From Dubuque' on Broadway

Edward Albee and the blessings of patience

Amid the slings and arrows of callous critics, Edward Albee has persevered at his craft for 52 years. Now Jane Alexander has lifted his difficult play about the angel of death into the land of surreal, provocative black comedy.

Carol Rocamora

Mar 10, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Lantern's 'Romeo and Juliet' (1st review)

Teenagers' romance

In the Lantern's first production of Romeo and Juliet, director Charles McMahon presents Shakespeare's story exactly as it ought to be: as the meeting, wooing and untimely death of two impulsive teenagers.

Alaina Johns

Mar 10, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Shepard's "Fool For Love' in Norristown

Breaking up is hard to do

Sam Shepard's unhappy and self-absorbed couple in Fool For Love grated on my nerves until the denouement, when I discovered the method lurking behind Shepard's misery.

Steve Cohen

Mar 06, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Ethel' at Walnut's Independence Studio

Her cup was half-empty

There's a hostile element in Terry Burrell's representation of Ethel Waters that doesn't quite ring true to the beatific soul I remember.

Jackie Schifalacqua

Feb 28, 2012 · Articles · 2 minute read

"Big River' at the Arts Bank

And you thought the Civil War was over

Big River, an adaptation of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, paradoxically shows how Americans can be entertained while being completely humiliated by our nation's history.

Marshall A. Ledger

Feb 25, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Time Stands Still' in Ambler

Bearing witness vs. getting involved

What's a journalist's first duty— to report the atrocities she witnesses, or to try to prevent them? At a time when journalists are dying in Syria, it's a timely question. It's also relevant even for theater critics.

Steve Cohen

Feb 25, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Of Mice and Men' at People's Light

Ties that bind

In this excellent revival, Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men reminds us again that there are worse things than poverty— loneliness, for example.

Bill Murphy

Feb 21, 2012 · Articles · 2 minute read