Maurice Hines Sr. dies at 88; father of tap dancers Gregory and Maurice Jr. By Valerie J. Nelson

Robert E. Leslie Sr., 76, cofounder of New Freedom Theatre by Jennifer Lin

Robert E. Leslie Sr., 76, of Southwest Philadelphia, cofounder of New Freedom Theatre in North Philadelphia, who championed bringing the performing arts to African American communities, died…

PASSINGS: Sheik Mohammed Sayed Tantawi, Roger Newman, Andree Peel

Roger Newman, 69, an actor and Emmy-winning writer known for his work on the long-running CBS soap opera "The Guiding Light," died March 4 at his home in New York, said his wife, Frances Mye…

It can be a bloody mess. by Howard Shapiro

Gallons of gore play a big part in two plays

Obituary: Claudia Asbury: Her love of dance led her to Broadway By Susan Jacobson

Colman Domingo's 'Wild with Happy' to be staged at Center Stage - Baltimore Sun

Colman Domingo's comedy deals with love, grieving, sexuality

Obituary: Marilyn B. Coleman, 79, actress in movies, plays and TV, and a singer in many styles. by John F. Morrison

Her Broadway credits include Melvin Van Peebles' "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death," Ron Milner's "What the Wine Sellers Buy" and "Don't Get God Started," and Langston Hughes' "Mule Bon…

An engaged chronicle of the time by David Bradley

Shakespeare's Hamlet tells us actors are the "brief chronicles of the time." If so, the record left by Ceal Phelan, the actor, teacher, and director who moved Philadelphia audiences for deca…

Philly Pops introduces new conductor by Peter Dobrin

Michael Krajewski, 62, who leads pops orchestras in Atlanta, Houston and Jacksonville, will take over in the fall of 2013.

Nero’s new deal to lead Philly Pops includes new title, buyout by Peter Dobrin

Peter Nero has prevailed. His lawyers successfully beat back a move to oust the Grammy Award-winning pianist and conductor as head of the Philly Pops. Nero, 78, who had two years to go on hi…

El Centro student playwrights' star-studded trip to Broadway by Julie Zauzmer

As a Megabus rattled through the Lincoln Tunnel, a surprising fact passed among the 11 Philadelphia high school students occupying the back rows: They were under water.

At 85, Robert Brustein looks back and ahead by Don Aucoin

Founding artistic director of two of the leading regional theaters in the country, the Yale Repertory Theatre and the American Repertory Theater. Provocative and influential drama critic for…

Thriving Phila. arts scene threatened by deep funding cut by Margie Salvante

Thankfully, Gov. Corbett has called for arts funding to stay level in his proposed budget for next year. Regrettably, however, the Republican-controlled legislature seeks to cut funding for …

Villanova president explains why he canceled Tim Miller show by Susan Snyder

Villanova University president the Rev. Peter M. Donohue said he canceled a performance by a gay performance artist because of the subject matter, not the artist's sexual orientation.

Curtains at Villanova for gay performance artist by Kathy Boccella

Villanova University abruptly canceled a weeklong workshop by a gay performance artist whose stage shows are often laced with nudity and simulated sex but who has taught and lectured at nume…

'The King and I': A classic made even better by Wendy Rosenfield

There's something about the Walnut Street Theatre's production of The King and I that feels as comfortable and inviting as, well, the 2010 holiday show, Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Mayb…

Getting serious by Kathy Boccella

Dylan Gelula insists she never expected to be cast as the mature-beyond-her-years teen in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, August: Osage County, opening Wednesday night at the Arden Theatre.

A Shakespearean comedy with too many errors by Toby Zinman

Alas, not to mention alack: This summer's production of The Comedy of Errors is embarrassingly amateurish and painfully dull. Everyone speaks very slowly and rhythmically, as if they had mem…

'Two Noble Kinsmen' a spirited Elizabethean romp by Myra Yellin Outwater

When Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Patrick Mulcahy realized that the Schubert Theatre would be empty for the last week of the festival since "Hamlet" and "Pride and Pre…

Gave plays life on stage and in class at Ursinus by Bonnie L. Cook

Joyce E. Henry, 83, professor emerita of theater, English, and communication studies at Ursinus College, died of cancer Monday, July 11, at her home in Collegeville.

Showing age, still fun by Wendy Rosenfield

Two Into One is the 10th Ray Cooney farce produced by Hedgerow Theatre. It's also the 10th with longtime company members Zoran Kovcic and Susan Wefel. And it's the second Cooney work featuri…

An earnest undertaking in Collingswood by Kevin Riordan

If Romeo and Juliet can be set in Miami, why can't The Importance of Being Earnest take place in Collingswood?

Broadening Broadway by Howard Shapiro

If the play is the thing but the cost is not, there's theater at the cinema.

A little more oomph, and pleasant, peculiar musical could be a gas by Howard Shapiro

I enjoyed A Passing Wind - how can you poo-poo a show that seizes the characters of Sigmund Freud (the excellent Tim Moyer), actress Sarah Bernhardt (Maureen Torsney-Weir), artist Claude Mon…

Review: This ‘Wanamaker’ is bargain basement by Toby Zinman

Wanamaker's Pursuit, a new play by Rogelio Martinez at the Arden Theatre, is the first show of the Paris-themed PIFA (Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts). It is not an auspiciou…

Rose Hemingway in 'How to Succeed,' succeeding nicely by Howard Shapiro

In the middle of a whirlwind week this month, Rose Hemingway finished stage-smooching with Daniel Radcliffe in a matinee performance of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and t…

Hitchcock classic leavened with funny business by Howard Shapiro

Let's raise a glass to shtick, the little, often unscripted physical stage business that can turn a moment of fun into a heightened laff-riot. And here's a toast to The 39 Steps - the show a…