Author Archives

University administrator and teacher by day, theater and arts critic by night.

REVIEW: Close Call: Call Me Madam at Encores! (for Parterre Box)

Seen here, an old fashioned but endearing musical becomes a Trumpian fantasia.

Despite some intriguing ideas, Elmer Rice’s Dream Girl at IRC fails to find full resonance.

This visually stunning production shows EgoPo’s theatrical imagination and innovation at full throttle.

Seen here, one is aware of Clifford Odets’ flaws as a writer—but even more, we see his grandeur.

AVA’s Rusalka—a rare venture into the Slavic repertoire—left a divided impression.

Together, Bernstein’s Kaddish and Rossini’s Stabat Mater made for one of Philadelphia Orchestra’s finest concerts in recent memory.

Eleanor Burgess’s thought-provoking, intelligent play was a balm to my wounded soul.

Blanka Zizka’s high-concept production consistently tries too hard.

Nearly everything about America seems to frighten this playwriting snowflake.

We’ve moved on from Harold Pinter’s pregnant, tedious pauses. Who has the time?