Celeste Mann

Review: ‘Peter Pan’ at the Arden Theatre

Arden Children’s Theatre opens its 20th Anniversary Season with a delightful production of Peter Pan, adapted for the stage by Douglas Irvine, and based on J.M. Barrie’s books. Whit MacLaughlin...

Review: ‘Annie’ at the Walnut Street Theatre

The sun’ll come out tomorrow Bet your bottom dollar that Tomorrow there’ll be sun…. Those familiar lyrics seem fresher than ever in Walnut Street Theatre’s new production of Annie. With its book by...

Review: ‘Broken Stones’ at InterAct Theatre Company

Just because someone says it doesn’t make it true. What exactly are truth and reality? Both are subjective and depend on one’s perspective. In the news, there are often many sides to a story. These...

Review: ‘TouchTones’ at Arden Theatre Company

TouchTones is a new musical by playwright/lyricist Michael Hollinger and composer Robert Maggio. Directed by Emmanuelle Delpech, it delves into the romantic relationship between Christine and Justin,...

Review: ‘Belén Maya: Romnia’ at URBN Black Box Theater

The life of a Gypsy is hard. For centuries the Romany people, who are commonly referred to as Gypsies, have been persecuted across Europe. They have been discriminated against and have been subjected...

Review: ‘Cabaret’ at Arden Theatre Company

“Why do we continue to allow destructive powers to gain control?” – Matthew Decker, Director of Cabaret This is the question that runs through Arden Theatre Company’s production of the musical...

Review: ‘Perfect Blue’ at Tiny Dynamite

Something new and cutting-edge is happening at Christ Church Neighborhood House this summer – the U.S. premiere of Perfect Blue, by G.S. Watson. Perfect Blue, produced by Philadelphia-based theatre...

Review: ‘Alex Keiper & The Next Generation’ at The Arden Cabaret Series at Arden Theatre Company

Alex Keiper is a well-known Philadelphia actor who was originally asked to do a solo cabaret show by the Arden Theatre Company. Unexpectedly, she decided she wanted to share this event with some of...

Review: ‘School Play’ at Tribe of Fools

What is education? Just because you attend school and sit in a desk doesn’t mean you learn something. In addition, learning can happen beyond the traditional classroom. In School Play, Terry Brennan...

Review: ‘Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage’ at the Merriam Theater

Dirty Dancing, a light, low-budget movie, came out of nowhere to become one of the biggest hits of 1987, and it’s still a beloved movie today. Written by Eleanor Bergstein, it showcased the talents of...

Review: ‘Peaceable Kingdom’ at Orbiter 3

I attended Peaceable Kingdom, a new play by Mary Tuomanen, last night at Christ Church Neighborhood House. I am already checking my calendar for a day when I can see this unique and riveting...

Review: ‘Fronteras: A Door in the Desert’ by Almanac Dance Circus Theatre at FringeArts

I held my breath in glorious anticipation at several instances during Almanac Dance Circus Theatre’s captivating show Fronteras: A Door in the Desert. A Door in the Desert is the second part of...

Review: ‘Swallow’ at Inis Nua Theatre Company

Swallow, by Scottish playwright Stef Smith, was first seen at the Edinburgh Festival in 2015. This American premiere is produced by Inis Nua Theatre Company (which specializes in works from England,...

Review: ‘crazy beautiful’ at FringeArts

How are dances created? What might inspire a choreographer? Specifically, how does Tania Isaac develop a dance? What role does the viewer have in it all? These are some of the questions that come to...

Review: ‘Adapt!’ At The Wilma Theater

Adapt! is a new play that tells the story of Lenka, an immigrant from Communist-era Czechoslovakia who dreams of living in New York City. It’s a world premiere production, written and directed by...

Review: ‘Anna’ at EgoPo Classic Theater

EgoPo Classic Theater presents the world premiere of Anna as the final work in its Russian Masters Festival. Anna adapts the story of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina with lots of humor and physicality....

Review: ‘Ironbound’ at Simpatico Theatre

Her face is banged up and she lights a small votive candle before saying a prayer. Although it is freezing, she has created a makeshift bed outside using her white parka as a mattress and an old spare...

Review: ‘Our Town’ at Temple Theaters

Temple University Department of Theater’s production of the Pulitzer Prize winner Our Town would have pleased its author, Thornton Wilder. This American classic was written in the early 20th century...

Review: “The Bodyguard: The Musical” at the Academy of Music

Whitney Houston is a tough act to follow, especially in a version of the vehicle created just for her to showcase her most popular songs. Deborah Cox, as the star singer Rachel Marron, holds her own...

Review: Balé Folclórico da Bahia at the Merriam Theater

They say “music is the universal language.” Balé Folclórico da Bahia definitely proved that in their one-night-only performance in Philadelphia at the Merriam Theater. The show, Bahia of All Colors,...

Review: ‘Jerry Blavat’s Gospel, Soul and Doo Wop Reunion’ at The Kimmel Center

Jerry Blavat, “a Philadelphia borne dancer, radio and television disc jockey, performer, entertainer, producer and nightclub owner” (according to the program insert), produced his 38th show at The...

Review: ‘Doug Varone and Dancers’ at the Prince Theater

Congratulations are in order! Doug Varone and Dancers (a contemporary/modern dance company) is celebrating its 30th anniversary! Doug Varone’s creativity has stood the test of time. In top form, Doug...

Review: ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ at Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3

There is one man and three different women. He’s in the midst of a midlife crisis, trying to connect with somebody not his wife, and find something “beautiful” in an affair. But it’s not that easy....

Review: ‘A Philly Pops Christmas’ at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

A Philly Pops Christmas is a delightful concert of Christmas Carols, humor and lights, which rings in holiday cheer. The POPS orchestra, conducted by Michael Krajewski, was joined by guest artists,...

Review: ‘The Outer Space’ at SEI Innovation Studio at The Kimmel Center

The Outer Space, is a new musical by Ethan Lipton. This production, at SEI Innovation Studio at the Kimmel Center, is like a cabaret with a narrative, weaving humor, storytelling and music together....

Review: ‘Son of a Dog’ at Walnut Street Theatre

“Tawakalt ala Allah” is Arabic, and in English it means, “I rely on God”. This is the phrase that Gameel Al-Batouti uttered repeatedly as Egypt Air flight 990 went down on October 31, 1999. Everyone...

Review: ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’ at Walnut Street Theatre

From the moment I entered the Independence Studio on 3 (3rd floor of the Walnut Street Theatre), the holiday spirit was evident. Hot cider was available for the audience to savor, and once inside the...

Review: ‘The Philly POPS: ‘Elvis: The King’s Songbook’ at The Kimmel Center

The music and performance style of Elvis Presley lives on and is part of the American psyche. Although the “King” of rock-n-roll is dead, he will never be forgotten. This was evident in The Philly...

Review: The Arden Cabaret Series: Michael Ogborn at The Arden Theatre Company, in Philadelphia

The Studio Theatre of the Arden Theatre Company’s Hamilton Family Arts Center was transformed into a nightclub/cabaret for Michael Ogborn’s Night at the Blue Parrot. Small round tables, covered with...

Review: ‘Tappin’ Thru Life’ at the Penn’s Landing Playhouse in Philadelphia, PA

About half the audience was standing and moving to the rhythm of the music. A few patrons remained in their seats and clapped while the Diva Orchestra played one last piece. There were no dancers on...

2016 Philadelphia Fringe Festival Review: ‘Philadanco! in Concert’

Youth, strength, beauty, rhythm, flexibility and technique—all synonymous with Philadanco! This Philadelphia dance troupe wowed audiences at Bryn Mawr College’s Goodhart Hall in their latest concert...

2016 Philadelphia Fringe Festival Review ‘Scarlet Letters’

The lone actor set the portable stage onto the table and began to sing. The stage looked old with red cloth curtains and two knobs on top that she used to advance the paper on spools inside. The paper...

2016 Philadelphia Fringe Festival Review: ‘Silken Veils’

“When the rose is gone and the garden faded you will no longer hear the nightingale’s song. The Beloved is all; the lover just a veil… “ (Rumi, Teachings of Rumi) These lines and many others by the...