In a Broadway Minute Reviews Yiddish Production of 'Rhinoceros' by Howard Shapiro

This week's In a Broadway Minute goes off-Broadway for a new production of Eugene Ionesco's RHINOCEROS with a new twist -- it's in Yiddish. Theater critic Howard Shapiro reviews this product…

At Arden Theatre's gala to award Stephen Sondheim, surprises planned and unplanned [photos] by Howard Shapiro

Just before 7, an electrical outage hit a portion of Old City. People filed into an Arden lobby suddenly illuminated by only the dwindling daylight and a few candles. Their numbers grew, the…

Philly Fringe opens LAB, Live Arts Brewery, in Northern Liberties for new works by Howard Shapiro

This year's Live Arts Festival/Philly Fringe opens Friday with a pioneering idea that could become a model for new work, a project far outlasting the festival's two-plus weeks of cutting-edg…

Fall forecast: Theater by Howard Shapiro

The Philadelphia region's four dozen professional theaters will be producing world premieres and pieces never before seen here, plus classics (two local companies make their first forays int…

'Curtains' at the Walnut: No seriousness will be tolerated by Howard Shapiro

Theatre Horizon's 'Spelling Bee' buzzes with delight by Howard Shapiro

'Henry V' by Quintessence Theatre Group in Mount Airy by Howard Shapiro

Quintessence Theatre Group is presenting Shakespeare's Henry V on a naked stage in Mount Airy, with a minimalism that works until two new characters appear.

Ladies' night at the Barrymores by Howard Shapiro

"The Light in the Piazza" and "Becky Shaw," both about troubled women, are the big winners at the 16th awards, which also salute the faithful theatergoer.

'Uncle Vanya' by Lantern Theater: Vintage Chekhov with a modern-day feel by Howard Shapiro

'Run, Mourner, Run' a riveting tale of rising desperation by Howard Shapiro

Back to Laramie: Theater group finds Wyoming town rewriting script of gay murder by Howard Shapiro

Things are not always better the second time around. That's what members of the New York-based Tectonic Theater Project found when, after 10 years, they returned as a reporting team to Laram…

Everyman Socrates, on trial for his life by Howard Shapiro

The well-styled declamations of Sam Tsoutsouvas' Socrates must compete with an obtrusive soundtrack.

The Bard's vastness on a challenging stage by Howard Shapiro

All the world's a stage, Shakespeare writes in As You Like It, and while that may be so, not all stages within that world are the same. Take the one at Act II Playhouse, the professional the…

Letter by letter this 'Bee' weaves its charming spell by Howard Shapiro

If you can spell C-H-A-R-M-I-N-G - and if charm is sufficient - the Philadelphia Theatre Company version of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which opened the company's 35th season…

'Old Wicked Songs' at Bristol Riverside Theatre by Howard Shapiro

When an older man and a younger man - each insufferable in his own way - first appear on the Viennese university music-school set of Old Wicked Songs, you say, oh I get it - it's a mentor vs…

A rousing orphans' chorus line in Media Theatre's 'Annie' by Howard Shapiro

It's Sykes' musical theater debut, and she does well as a gravel-voiced hoofer. Her Hannigan is neither the overdone lush nor the menacing life force sometimes seen in the role; she's more...

Harold Pinter revealed: Words from the diary of playwright's wife are a window on their life. by Howard Shapiro

The slights of showbiz, played at Wilma for laughs by Howard Shapiro

The Understudy, a hit last season Off-Broadway, where I missed seeing it, is funny enough. But director David Kennedy's Wilma Theater production, which opened Wednesday, boosts it with a per…

Characters glow, but '[title of show]' has lost some sheen by Howard Shapiro

Plays in progress by Howard Shapiro

A wintry walk on South Street was grist for the latest batch of recruits in Paula Vogel's Playwriting Boot Camp.

Broadway, Philadelphia theaters put race in the spotlight by Howard Shapiro

'The Little Prince' played by puppets and people by Howard Shapiro

'Heeere's Tony!' puts a talk show on stage by Howard Shapiro

The impish, two-ton-talented Tony Braithwaite is an actor who also sings and dances on many area stages, as well as a writer and performer of one-man shows, a three-time Barrymore Award winn…

Suspenseful 'Spider-Man' by Howard Shapiro

Theatrically, when the ropes all work, it grabs you. As a live comic book, it does not.

Stars of the Yiddish theater shine anew by Howard Shapiro

Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas presents a tribute to his grandparents, Boris and Bessie Thomashefsky.

It can be a bloody mess. by Howard Shapiro

Gallons of gore play a big part in two plays

'The Ugly One' at Walnut: Convoluted story about face value by Howard Shapiro

Dramatic persona by Howard Shapiro

What's a dramaturg? Good question. Let local theater folks who've done that demanding job explain.

Review: Bamboozling 'em with the 'National Pastime' by Howard Shapiro

The show, with a pleasant score by Albert M. Tapper that employs too many phrases no one used in 1933, and a book by Tony Sportiello that leans toward cute rather than clever, is fun enough …

Review: Barbara Cook and the rebirth of a cabaret by Howard Shapiro

When the celebrated performer Barbara Cook sang her first notes Wednesday night at the revitalized Prince Music Theater, she wasn't just giving a concert. She was rekindling big-time cabaret…

Review: You're doin' fine, 'Oklahoma!' by Howard Shapiro

There's no skimping in the big-theater production of "Oklahoma!" that opens this season's Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and the payoff is clear -- a grand version of Rodgers and Hammers…