Philly Theatre Talk is Looking for Writers!
Philly Theatre Talk is looking for writers! I’m moving to Scotland to pursue my Master’s degree, and I can’t very well continue to write about Philadelphia theatre if I’m not around to see it! So I’m looking for writers – if you’re interested, drop me an email at colleen [dot] r [dot] coffey [at] gmail [...]
Brief Hiatus
Due to unfortunate circumstances, Philly Theatre Talk will be taking a brief hiatus from regular reviews. The website will be available for reference. In the meantime, there will be periodic updates. We expect to be back in the full swing of things by late May or early June of 2010. Thank you very much for [...]
Concrete Dinosaur by Nicholas Wardigo
“She has to come out sometime. Her percocets are here.” The Bryn Mawr Historical Society, or so they call themselves, meets to play croquette. The only history that is ever discussed is the aristocracy of their Main Line families – the business, the money and sometimes, even, the scandal. Throughout Concrete Dinosaur, written by Nicholas [...]
Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo
“Love is a happy byproduct of use.” Becky’s not quite normal, but none of the characters in Becky Shaw are exactly what anyone would consider typical. The Wilma Theater’s production of Becky Shaw, written by Gina Gionfriddo and directed by Anne Kauffman, is hilarious from start to finish. “Five bucks says he thinks 401K is [...]
When You Comin Back, Red Ryder? by Mark Medoff
New City Stage Company’s production of When You Comin Back, Red Ryder?, written by Mark Medoff and directed by Micahel Brophy, is a piece of theatre that’s trying to make a point but at the same time provides an intriguing piece of theatre. It’s the late 1960’s – in Southern New Mexico – in a [...]
Scapin adapted by Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell
This is a strong season for theatre and Lantern Theater’s production of Scapin proves it. Adapted from Moliere’s classic by Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell and directed by Aaron Cromie, Scapin is absolutely hysterical and undeniably amazing – everything from the chemistry between the actors, to the puppet work, to the music created what really [...]
David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries
“Santa no longer traffics in coal. Instead, if you’re bad, he comes to your house and steals your things.” Crumpet (Derick Loafmann) is not a good elf. He tries to be, but he’s not. Crumpet is the kind of elf that likes to toy with the Christmas geared minds of children and parents alike. And [...]
Hunters Gathers @ Theatre Exile
I’d like to recommend, from the very bottom of my heart, that everyone get out to see Theatre Exile’s Hunter Gathers by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb and directed by Deborah Block. This is easily the best show I’ve seen this season, and although I was did not attend to review the show, I felt obligated to [...]
Early in the Mourning by Seth Bauer
Early in the Mourning, written by Seth Bauer and directed by Daniel Student and presented by Plays and Players, is the story of an older Jewish couple whose son dies unexpectedly. However, even on the day of his funeral, he’s still there – at least, in ghost form anyway. “I’m not visiting. I’m stuck.” Very [...]
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
If you want to see something mildly amusing, this is it. If you want to see something mildly interesting, this is not it. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change may be one of the longest running Off-Broadway musicals, but that doesn’t mean it’s good. It’s a combination of different songs and skits that depict [...]
