Theater - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Friday, June 27, 2025

Theater

Wilma’s ‘A Summer Day’ is a soft and somber ride through the choppy waters of grief and memory

Running through June 29, this is a rare chance to see a play by 2023 Nobel Prize winner Jon Fosse, who is often referred to as a modern day Ibsen.

The cast of Arden Theatre Company's 2025 production of "Rent."

Theater

‘Rent’ arrives at Arden with some great performances but lacking in grunge

Dito van Reigersberg, Ethan Check, Michael Aurelio, and Shelby Alayne Antel in Quintessence Theatre Group’s "Giovanni’s Room."

Theater

Quintessence’s ‘Giovanni’s Room’ is only the second official adaptation of James Baldwin’s work. Does it deliver?

Theater

‘Glitter in the Glass’: A nimble, nerdy, and very funny play that tries to answer some very tough questions

Owen Corey and Tyler Elliott in "Square Go." Photo credit: Wide Eyed Studios.

Theater

Inis Nua’s ‘Square Go’: A master class of acting from inside the little boy’s room

Cal Mitchell as the Lion, Dana Cimone as Dorothy, D. Jerome as the Tinman, and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as the Scarecrow in the North American Tour of "The Wiz."

Theater

With a spectacular cast, ‘The Wiz’ wows at the Academy of Music

L. Frank Baum’s original story gets some inventive tweaks, complete with moves by Beyoncé’s 'Single Ladies' choreographer.

Shelby Alayne Antel as Sue, Ethan Check as David and Michael Aurelio in the role of Giovanni rehearse ahead of Quintessence Theatre's world premiere adaptation of James Baldwin’s 'Giovanni’s Room' at the Sedgwick Theater in Mt. Airy on May 30, 2025. Bastiaan Slabbers / For The Inquirer

Theater

As Trump attacks LGBTQ+ communities, Philadelphia readies the stage for the world premiere of James Baldwin’s ‘Giovanni’s Room’

The first-ever authorized adaptation of the groundbreaking 1956 novel is making its debut not in New York or Paris, but in Mt. Airy's Sedgwick Theater.

Pig Iron Theatre Company's production of "Franklin's Key" is scheduled to run at Plays and Players Theatre through June 29.

Theater

Ben Franklin’s key and kite help unlock the hidden magic of Philadelphia

Pig Iron Theatre Company’s 'Franklin's Key' is a clue-finding, puzzle-solving uncovering of the 'truth' about Franklin’s legacy.

Matt Loehr (Joe), Leandra Ellis-Gaston (Sugar), Tavis Kordell (Jerry) and the First National Touring Company of SOME LIKE IT HOT. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Theater

A beloved 1959 film gets an exuberant makeover in the ‘Some Like It Hot’ musical

With excellent choreography, hummable music, and a cast of heavy hitters, the Broadway production is a must-watch.

Tuyết Thị Phạm (left) and Shigeko Sara Suga in "Endlings" at Hedgerow Theatre Company.

Theater

Take a deep dive into South Korean seas in ‘Past Lives’ precursor ‘Endlings’

Celine Song's play precedes her Oscar-nominated film, but explores similar themes of legacy, diasporic art, tradition, and gender.

Mark Povinelli as Benjamin Lay in "The Return of Benjamin Lay" at Quintessence Theatre through May 18.

Theater

The British Quaker who challenged Ben Franklin is back at Quintessence Theatre

"The Return of Benjamin Lay," is a timely reminder of Lay's unapologetic radicalism against authoritarian forces.

Theater

Take a music lesson with a legend in People’s Light Theatre’s ‘Monsieur Chopin’

Actor, playwright, and scenic designer Hershey Felder shines in this very authentic one-man show

Theater

A deft play of fact and fiction arises in Wilma Theater’s ‘Archduke’

Blanka Zizka, who cofounded the company, makes a much-anticipated return as a director after a four-year absence.

The cast of the Arden Theatre's 2025 production of "The Hobbit."

Theater

Arden’s ‘The Hobbit’ is a delightful children’s adventure

The production proves that the most enduring star of The Hobbit has never been Bilbo Baggins, but Tolkien’s story itself.

Dan Diana stars as the Jersey Devil and Jackie Fogel plays Daisy Dirt in the production of "The Devil and Daisy Dirt."

Theater

‘Garden State Gothic’: See the Jersey Devil in a new light

"The Devil & Daisy Dirt" is equal parts theater and spoken word, with a backdrop of live bluegrass numbers.

The cast of People's Light production of Noah Haidle’s "Birthday Candles."

Theater

‘Birthday Candles’ at People’s Light is a charming existential ride with a side of butter cake

The 'stunning' play walks us through a series of Ernestine’s birthdays, ultimately grappling with ideas of destiny, purpose, and her place in the cosmos.

Chali Cooke, Cornelius Davis, Gabrielle Beckford, Andrew Leggieri, Khalifa White, and Dana Orange in "Dreamgirls" at the Walnut Street Theatre.

Theater

Walnut Street’s ‘Dreamgirls’ wows with its stars but not much else

The musical with great actors and costumes falters in its overall production.

Thom Cardwell poses for a photo during a star-studded event in Philadelphia in this undated file photo.

Obituaries

Thom Cardwell, writer, queer film festival organizer, and original ‘American Bandstand’ dancer, has died at 79

Thom Cardwell, 79, the film producer, screenwriter, queer icon, and local celebrity, died on Jan. 2, 2025. He was also one of the original dancers on "American Bandstand."

The Broadway musical "& Juliet" is at the Academy of Music through April 6.

Theater

‘& Juliet’ is a joyous retelling of ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare ponder over one question: What if Juliet didn’t have to die over some boy?

From left: Gabriel W. Elmore, Tyler Elliot, Imani Lee Williams, Zachary Valdez, Rafi Mills, and Christopher Patrick Mullen in Quintessence Theatre's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Theater

Quintessence’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ shines with its top notch cast

The Shakespeare favorite continues to be an entertaining watch, complete with catfights, fairies, and jokes