Tiny Dynamite presents Julia Izumi’s Meet Murasaki Shikibu Followed by Book Signing, and Other Things

Can one good book change the world?

Tiny Dynamite brings the legendary, yet little-known, 11th-century Japanese novelist Murasaki Shikibu to life, alongside a bookstore manager whose own work is closer to the author’s legacy than she knows. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer reviews.

Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer

Jun 12, 2023 · Reviews · 4 minute read

InterAct Theatre Company presents Kareem Fahmy’s American Fast

Representing Ramadan

American Fast follows a women’s basketball player who struggles with representation, cultural traditions, legacy, and life in the public eye after announcing her Ramadan fast during the playoffs. Josh Herren reviews.

Josh Herren

Jun 12, 2023 · Reviews · 2 minute read

Two River Theater presents Nilo Cruz’s Two Sisters and a Piano

Out of tune

Playwright Nilo Cruz revisits Two Sisters and a Piano, a tale of passion and oppression in early-90s Havana, in a stagnant production at Two River Theater. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

Jun 12, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Ross Gay and Girard College present Be Holding

Poetry on breathing, basketball, and spectacle

Ross Gay’s libretto poem Be Holding connects an iconic basketball play from Dr. J with one of the most disturbing award-winning photographs in American history. Kyle V. Hiller reviews.

Kyle V. Hiller

Jun 06, 2023 · Reviews · 4 minute read

Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Schubert Organization present Beetlejuice

Not so strange and unusual

The national Broadway tour of Beetlejuice, the musical, stopping at the Academy of Music through Sunday, June 11, sands the dark edges off the original in favor of feel-good clichés. C.M. Crockford reviews.

C.M. Crockford

Jun 05, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival presents Henry IV, Part 2

The “Extreme Shakespeare” Henriad continues

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival opens its 2023 season with Henry IV, Part 2, a joyous restaging that succeeds in ragtag style, despite a few dramatic missteps. Kiran Pandey reviews.

Kiran Pandey

Jun 05, 2023 · Reviews · 4 minute read

South Camden Theatre Company and the Strides Collective present Diane Son’s Stop Kiss

A Pride month miss

South Camden Theatre Company partners with the Strides Collective to produce Diane Son’s 1998 Stop Kiss for Pride month. But why do we need this story in 2023? Josh Herren reviews.

Josh Herren

Jun 05, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Arden Theatre Company presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Not a winner

At the Arden, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee lingers on cheap jokes at the expense of adolescent self-discovery. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

Jun 02, 2023 · Reviews · 3 minute read

Act II Playhouse presents Michael Stewart and Jerry Herman’s Hello, Dolly!

A smaller Dolly

Act II Playhouse produces the brassy Hello, Dolly! with top-notch local talent, but does the big show suit a small venue? Josh Herren reviews.

Josh Herren

May 30, 2023 · Reviews · 2 minute read

Lantern Theater Company presents Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Present mirth and present laughter

Lantern Theater Company offers a delightfully comic and effortlessly romantic new production of Twelfth Night to close its season. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

May 26, 2023 · Reviews · 4 minute read