Author Archives

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

No Strings Attached: DF Reviews Madama Butterfly at Opera Philadelphia (for Parterre Box)

This production delivers an intriguing mix of conceptual ideas that sometimes scores powerfully.

Director Lila Neeugebauer’s production refashions Chekhov’s play as a Steve Carell movie.

In tribute to the great playwright, who left us on April 2nd, here’s a 2005 interview with Durang conducted by DF.

A rewarding effort for audiences and, one presumes, for AVA’s talented artists.

Brian Friel’s great play feels new-minted in a production featuring three Philadelphia actors at their very best.

A superb new play, superbly done at Theatre Exile, as their season goes from strength to strength.

In this interview from 2017, the late, great musical star talks about her storied career… and performing in Philly!

Ah, that Bernstein dichotomy.

My short video tribute to Parterre Box on its 30th birthday… and James Jorden.

A cast of 1st and 2nd Year AVA artists showed considerable promise, and sometimes more than that.