No script, no problem By Wendy Rosenfield

Ask Matt Nelson, executive producer of this week's Fourth Annual Philadelphia Improv Festival, if he has seen growth in the city's improv scene since the first festival, and you get one word: astronomical.

Cast sabotages 'Streamers' By Toby Zinman

His 'Tale,' lovingly told By Howard Shapiro

In his one-man show "A Bronx Tale," Chazz Palminteri has all the characters in his hands. And those hands have always had a firm grip on his life story.

Crusty New Yorkers shed their shells By Howard Shapiro

As a world championship was being won in South Philly, a world premiere was unfolding Wednesday night in Center City. And though playwright Terrence McNally doesn't exactly hit one out of the park in Unusual Acts of Devotion, he drives in some solid lines with major-league characters.

Fringe theater trailblazer is celebrated By A.D. Amorosi

True devotion By Howard Shapiro

The crisis that hit the Philadelphia Theatre Company a year ago found its silver lining in Richard Thomas, who made his Broadway debut (Sunrise at Campobello) at 7, became famous as John-Boy…

Musical a sweet reflection on high school dilemmas By Carrie Rickey (***)

Mamet to Hollywood, with venom By Toby Zinman

Directed by Neil Pepe with style, wit and breakneck speed, there is nothing dated or irrelevant about this revival...

Singer-actor hits a career peak as Valli By Michael Klein

Jarrod Spector, a Germantown Academy alumnus, is now in his second showbiz career.

Lanford Wilson's "Talley's Folly" at McCarter Theatre By Wendy Rosenfield

Setting aside his frequent stumbling over lines - or outright forgetting them - Schiff is neither a sexy nor smart Matt; he's just the guy who won't go away, a presence more irritating than …

'All My Sons' retains its postwar power By Toby Zinman

Quilting stitches together 3 generations By Toby Zinman

Bardly comedy and Nazi tragedy By Howard Shapiro

Everything but a slightly overactive snow machine, which drops flakes even in indoor scenes, works to a fine-tuned hum in the Manhattan Theatre Club production.

On Broadway, Langella truly is 'A Man for All Seasons' By Toby Zinman

In Media, a playful 'My Fair Lady' By Howard Shapiro

When the theater officially opened the musical Friday night, sitting in the front row, months away from his 100th birthday, was Walter M. Strine Sr., the man whose support - in time, energy,…

Barrymores happy about 'Les Miz' and 'Six Characters' By Howard Shapiro

A prize of recognition, opportunity By Howard Shapiro

The Haas Award, to be given tomorrow, honors a promising local theater artist and bestows welcome cash as well.

'13': A sweet show by and about kids By Howard Shapiro

'The Seagull' - never better By Toby Zinman

Show doesn't measure up to the songs and singers By Toby Zinman

Daniel Kutner, who directed the Prince Music Theater production that opened Friday, manages to take this collection of sophisticated songs, filled with clever, ironical lyrics, and turn it i…

Big human questions in 'Rock 'n' Roll' By Toby Zinman

An actor leaves boyhood behind in 'Equus' By Howard Shapiro

In the end, Equus is really about two characters, and Radcliffe and Griffiths bring them alive.

Temple thespians take Manhattan By Howard Shapiro

Temple University's In Conflict, which examines the war in Iraq through the eyes of American soldiers, opened Off-Broadway last night with its raw power intact.

Stoppard, Zizka and Czechoslovakia By Toby Zinman

Bernstein's 'Candide,' reworked and richly satisfying By Toby Zinman