Author Archives: burdreviews

A man is staring out, past the audience looking at something. We don’t know what. He is the painter, Mark Rothko. In time, we learn that he is looking at a wall in his studio and thinking about the paintings on that wall that he is preparing for the walls of the new Four SeasonsContinue reading “Red at Theatre Exile”

            Lynn Nottage is an African American playwright who has written a dozen plays, two of which won her the Pulitzer Prize for drama- “Ruined” in 2009 and “Sweat” in 2017. Last year, The Arden presented her play “Clydes,” which originally premiered on Broadway in 2021. Now on their stage is an earlier play byContinue reading “Intimate Apparel at Arden Theatre Company”

The Governor has just been forced to resign and Lt. Governor Ned Newly has taken his place. He’s just given a horrible speech where he basically mumbled and said nothing. He has a horrific fear of public speaking whether it be on tv or in person. And he doesn’t even want to be governor. He’sContinue reading “The Outsider at Act II Playhouse”

In the mid 60’s, I watched a tv satire show called “That Was the Week That Was.” It was a riot, and it was so smart. Referred to as TW3, it was on for less than two season. 1812 Productions Artistic Director Jennifer Childs, who wasn’t even born yet obviously got wind of the showContinue reading “This is the Week That Is at 1812 Productions”

When I was a kid, I watched the movie, “Cyrano de Bergerac,” starring Jose Ferrer, on television many times. The original play by Edmond Rostand, written in 1897, is the story of a brilliant 17th century swordsman who is in love with the beautiful Roxanne, but is shunned by all because of his huge nose.Continue reading “Cyrano de Bergerac at Quintesssence Theatre”

“The Porch on Windy Hill” is billed as a new play with old music. The music is mostly country style folk music, many of which I knew from other versions sung by singers of the 1960’s. It opens with a young couple leaving New York, where they’ve been cooped up during the pandemic, as theyContinue reading “The Porch on Windy Hill at People’s Light”

This play is about the President of the United States, right?  Not really. The subtitle is “Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.” Arden Theatre Company’s latest production of this all-female farce is directed by Jennifer Childs, the brilliant artistic director at 1812 Productions, is quite funny, though atContinue reading “POTUS at Arden Theatre Company”

            “The Wanderers” is the story of two Jewish couples who live in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. One is an Orthodox couple whose marriage was arranged as we first meet them. The other is a secular Jewish couple who are writers and have known each other since they were children. Both marriages are struggling.Continue reading “The Wanderers at Lantern Theater Company”

Tony Braithwaite is one of my favorite Philadelphia actors because he can play so many different types of characters without absurdly stretching the limit. So I was most intrigued when I learned he be would portraying God in Act II Playhouse’s comedy, “An Act of God.” Written by Emmy Award Winner comedy writer for hisContinue reading “An Act of God at Act II Playhouse”

With a title like “Somewhere Over the Border,” you can’t help but wonder if it is about immigration or is it a take on the song, “Somewhere, Over the Rainbow.” It turns out that this musical is about both. Reina is a 17-year-old girl in El Salvador in 1978 who has just given birth andContinue reading “Somewhere Over the Border at People’s Light”