Commonwealth Classic's "Taming of the Shrew'

In an age of gender equality, can you watch The Taming of the Shrew without raising your blood pressure? In his Philadelphia directorial debut, Damon Bonetti dodges controversy by telling his audience: Relax and enjoy— you're back in the '50s.

The Taming of the Shrew. By William Shakespeare. Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company outdoor production through August 1, 2008, at various locations around Philadelphia. (610) 202-7878 or

Jim Rutter

Jul 22, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Jamaica' revived at the Prince

The 1957 Harold Arlen-Yip Harburg musical Jamaica was a potentially rich broth spoiled by two many meddlesome cooks. The Prince Music Theatre has nobly attempted to capture the creators’ original vision. But maybe Jamaica was fatally flawed to begin with.

Jamaica. Music by Harold Arlen; lyrics by Yip Harburg. Through June 22, 2008 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. (215) 569-9700 or

Steve Cohen

Jul 03, 2008 · Articles · 7 minute read

"Rwanda' and "Rachel Corrie'

Ordinarily, political theater is to theater as military music is to music. But in Rwanda and Rachel Corrie, respectively, People’s Light and InterAct Theatre have come up with two exceptions.

I Have Before Me A Remarkable Document Given To Me By A Young Lady From Rwanda. By Sonja Linden; directed by David Bradley, Through June 29, 2008 at People’s Light and Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern. (610) 644-3500 or

Bob Cronin

Jun 15, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

PTC's "The Happiness lecture' (2nd review)

Bill Irwin’s The Happiness Lecture is an exhilarating experience— simultaneously a showcase for the comic actor’s extraordinary craft and a celebration of clowning with some excellent Philadelphia talent.

The Happiness Lecture. Conceived and performed by Bill Irwin; world premiere by Philadelphia Theater Company Through June 22, 2008 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 230 S. Broad St. (215) 895-0420 or

Steve Cohen

Jun 10, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

InterAct's "House Divided' (3rd review)

House Divided is a well-crafted play about a Jewish-American family that has broken apart over religion, politics and the Jewish state. This is a rich area for exploration. I just wish it flowed more naturally.

House Divided. By Larry Loebell; directed by Seth Rozin. InterAct Theatre Company production through June 22, 2008 at the Adrienne, mainstage, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8079 or www.InterActTheatre.org

Steve Cohen

Jun 10, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

PTC's "The Happiness Lecture' (1st review)

In an evening of performance art and clowning, Bill Irwin and a motley company of fools explore the nature of dreaming, theatrical reality and identity with bellyaching laughs along the way— an evening of pure delight.

The Happiness Lecture. Conceived and performed by Bill Irwin; world premiere by Philadelphia Theater Company Through June 22, 2008 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 230 S. Broad St. (215) 895-0420 or

Bob Cronin

Jun 08, 2008 · Articles · 2 minute read

InterAct's "House Divided' (2nd review)

In this intelligent and gripping production, playwright Larry Loebell treats current issues in the Middle East with the importance they deserve—by showing how they too often direct and distort the attitudes and actions of an individual’s entire life.

House Divided. By Larry Loebell; directed by Seth Rozin. InterAct Theatre Company production through June 22, 2008 at the Adrienne, mainstage, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8079 or

Jim Rutter

Jun 03, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

InterAct's "House Divided' (1st review)

InterAct’s Seth Rozin has gathered a superb cast for House Divided, Larry Loebell’s preachy examination of three generations of one American Jewish family that has been polarized by faith and politics in both the United States and Israel.

House Divided. By Larry Loebell; directed by Seth Rozin. InterAct Theatre Company production through June 22, 2008 at the Adrienne, mainstage, 2030 Sansom St. (215) 568-8079 or

Bob Cronin

Jun 03, 2008 · Articles · 2 minute read

In defense of Toby Zinman

Many readers find the Inquirer’s theater critic Toby Zinman harsh and joyless. Maybe that’s because her standards are higher then theirs.

Jim Rutter

Jun 03, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Les Miserables' at the Walnut (2nd review)

This Walnut production takes Les Miz seriously. Director Mark Clements relishes its emotional scenes, and his actors dig into them with commitment.

Les Miserables. Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; book by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel; lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer; directed by Mark Clements; based on Victor Hugo’s novel. Through August 3, 2008 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., (215) 574-3550 or

Steve Cohen

Jun 03, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read