PTC's "M. Butterfly'

In many respects this production of M. Butterfly is a feast for eye, ear and mind alike. But maybe it’s a little too much of a feast. All those visual and aural goodies tend to conceal the shortage of intellectual protein at its center.

M. Butterfly. Drama by David Henry Hwang; directed by Joe Calarco. Philadelphia Theatre Co. production through February 24, 2008 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard Sts. (215) 985-0420 or

Dan Rottenberg

Jan 29, 2008 · Articles · 7 minute read

Beckett's "Happy Days' in Brooklyn

The London production of Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days is soundingly heroic in Irish actress Fiona Shaw’s performance, but misses some of the play’s subtler notes of despair.

Happy Days. By Samuel Beckett; directed by Deborah Warner. National Theater of Great Britain production through February 2, 2008 at Harvey Theater, Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn. (718) 636.4100 or www.bam.or

Robert Zaller

Jan 27, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Wittenberg' at the Arden (1st review)

Stir Martin Luther, Marlowe’s Faustus, and Shakespeare’s Hamlet together, and will a play come out of it? Not quite, in David Davalos’s Wittenberg, but there’s intermittent fun along the way, and also the larger question--not quite engaged--of our contemporary culture wars.

Wittenberg. By David Davalos; directed by J. R. Sullivan. Through March 16, 2008 at Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St. (212) 922-1122 or

Robert Zaller

Jan 27, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

"The Price' at Walnut Street Theatre (1st revi

The premiere performance of Arthur Miller’s The Price took place at the Walnut in 1968, and now it's back, with Robert Prosky finally making his first stage appearance in Philadelphia. Let’s hope neither will keep us waiting again for such a long time.

The Price. Drama by Arthur Miller; directed by Michael Carleton. Through March 2, 2008 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St. (215) 574-3550 or www.ws

Anne R. Fabbri

Jan 27, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Mauckingbird's "The Misanthrope'

This Misanthrope works both as over-the-top gay soufflé and as a dishy Molière comedy that revels in character and literary satire. The nine-man cast conveys the airy tightness of ensemble playing.

The Misanthrope. Comedy by Molière; directed by Peter Reynolds. Mauckingbird Theatre Company production through February 2, 2008 at Adrienne Theatre Second Stage,
2030 Sansom St. (215) 563.4330 or

Lewis Whittington

Jan 27, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Jeffrey' at Walnut St. Studio 5

Paul Rudnick’s Jeffrey is a play about taking a chance on love, something we all do. In this case the risk could be fatal. A compelling first act and a dynamic cast are undermined by a clichéd second half.

Jeffrey. Drama by Paul Rudnick; directed by Daniel Student. Represented Theatre Co. production through January 20, 2008 at Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5, 825 Walnut Street. (215) 965-8289 or

Anne R. Fabbri

Jan 15, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

"The Fantasticks' at the Kimmel

There must be a reason why The Fantasticks set records as the longest-running Broadway or Off-Broadway show of all time. Director Tony Braithwaite and his cast of relative newcomers try hard, but the material lets them down.

The Fantasticks. Music by Harvey Schmidt; book and lyrics by Tom Jones; directed by Tony Braithwaite. Through February 24, 2008 at the Innovation Studio at the Kimmel Center. (215) 731-3333 or

Steve Cohen

Jan 15, 2008 · Articles · 2 minute read

New City's "Extremities'

Extremities is a strong play with a powerful central idea: What do you do when the law can’t— or won’t— protect you? The New City production is believably acted and efficiently and unobtrusively directed.

Extremities. Drama by William Mantrosimone; directed by William Roudebush. Presented by New City Stage Company through January 20, 2008 at Mumpuppetheater, 115 Arch St. (215) 563-7500 or

Tom Purdom

Jan 13, 2008 · Articles · 2 minute read

Back to the "40s in Norristown (2nd review)

At the opening curtain, this musical revue seems like a first-rate production without a point, other than nostalgia. It winds up drawing a bold contrast between a war-consumed but hopeful America and our own war-mired times that now stagnate in pessimism, rancor and despair.

Holiday Show at the Swing Club. Directed by Matt Decker. Through December 31, 2007 at the Centre Theatre, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown, Pa. (610) 283-2230 or

Jim Rutter

Dec 22, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

Back to the '40s in Norristown (1st review)

In a nightclub on December 31, 1943, an emcee gathers musicians and singers for one last show before they head off to war. This is a re-creation of what a live show was like on a New Year’s Eve in wartime, with a terrific cast and spectacular tap dancing and jitterbugging.

Holiday Show at the Swing Club. Directed by Matt Decker. Through December 31, 2007 at the Centre Theatre, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown, Pa. (610) 283-2230 or

Steve Cohen

Dec 18, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read