Category: Reviews

Music and Arts, Reviews

Forgotten Lore’s “Illimitable Dominion” is a haunting hit at FringeArts Festival 2020

-Marialena Rago After more than six months of no theater to experience, I was beyond excited to be in the audience for Forgotten Lore Theatre’s Illimitable Dominion, an immersive experience that is a part of the 2020 FringeArts Festival. It was my first time seeing a show in the Philly Fringe Festival, which is a contemporary visual arts festival that features four weeks of performances … Continue reading Forgotten Lore’s “Illimitable Dominion” is a haunting hit at FringeArts Festival 2020

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Coming Up, Music and Arts, Reviews

Safe, indoor fun at Wonderspaces in the Fashion District

-Brenda Hillegas Follow me on Instagram at @shamrockenroll and click  my Wonderspaces story highlights to see some pics and videos from my visits. Wonderspaces is a unique experience because it’s part art gallery and part choose your own adventure with interactive and thought-provoking exhibits. It’s also an excellent way to beat the heat (or winter cold soon enough), as it’s completely indoors. Extra safety precautions … Continue reading Safe, indoor fun at Wonderspaces in the Fashion District

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Coming Up, Music and Arts, Reviews

Screaming Orphans record new album, Sunshine and Moss, at their home in Ireland

-Brenda Hillegas Why don’t we sow some seeds? Why don’t we satisfy our deeper needs? These lyrics from “Every Woman Gardens” re-introduce us to Screaming Orphans on Sunshine and Moss. Maybe those “seeds” are songs. Maybe the “deeper need” is the live music and togetherness we’re seriously lacking right now.  Or maybe sisters Angela, Grainne, Joan, and Marie Therese really were just planting a summer … Continue reading Screaming Orphans record new album, Sunshine and Moss, at their home in Ireland

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Reviews

Book Review- “Up From South Philly” by Anthony A. Chiurco

-John Nacchio Everyone has a story to tell. South Philly has more than its share. From saints to celebrities, chock full of ties to Hollywood, professional sports, successful business juggernauts, signature cuisine, even touching the stars in NASA, and breakthroughs in medicine. Most important are the everyday people with extra-ordinary tales of family human interest that are sad, happy, inspiring and filled with stirring emotional … Continue reading Book Review- “Up From South Philly” by Anthony A. Chiurco

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Music and Arts, Reviews

Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale: A must-see at Wilma Theatre

-Brenda Hillegas Photo by Joanna Austin If the weather was a bit nicer today, I’d have my windows opened and I’d be able to hear the sounds of construction a few blocks behind my house. There are new condos coming and they’re about three times the price I paid for my own house just a few years ago. And just steps away from a nearly … Continue reading Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale: A must-see at Wilma Theatre

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Music and Arts, Reviews

Say “Hello” to Dolly at the Academy of Music through March 1st.

-Brenda Hillegas (feature photo by Julieta Cervantes) When I interviewed John Bolton (Hello, Dolly‘s Horace Vandergelder), he hoped that audiences would simply experience joy as they watch the production. And that’s exactly what you’ll feel. Joy. As Dolly Gallagher Levi walks elegantly down a red staircase in a stunning red dress you’ll truly feel the magic of theatre. This scene is the beginning of one … Continue reading Say “Hello” to Dolly at the Academy of Music through March 1st.

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Music and Arts, Reviews

InterAct Theatre Company’s Man of God has a few more performances left- DO NOT MISS THIS PLAY.

-Brenda Hillegas The good thing about Philadelphia’s theatre scene is how many options there are for people in the industry to share their stories. Big stages, small stages, new work, old work, local writers/producers/actors/directors have plenty of opportunities to share what they’ve created to eager and appreciative audiences. The bad thing is, I just can’t get to all of them. After seeing Man of God … Continue reading InterAct Theatre Company’s Man of God has a few more performances left- DO NOT MISS THIS PLAY.

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Music and Arts, Reviews

Describe the Night questions what’s real and what’s not in a mysterious fairy tale about Russian history.

-Brenda Hillegas PHOTO: Sarah Gliko as Yevgenia, Steven Rishard as Nikolai, and Ross Beschler as Isaac in Describe the Night. Credit: Johanna Austin. It makes perfect sense that playwright Rajiv Joseph introduces us to real-life storyteller Isaac Babel in the first act of Describe the Night. In this scene, Babel is in the woods alongside Nikolai Yezhov, also a real, historical figure. The year is … Continue reading Describe the Night questions what’s real and what’s not in a mysterious fairy tale about Russian history.

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Music and Arts, Reviews

Harriet Tubman guides audiences through time in My General Tubman, at Arden Theatre.

-Brenda Hillegas Damien J. Wallace, Danielle Leneé, Dax Richardson, and Aaron Bell in MY GENERAL TUBMAN. Photo by Wide Eyed Studios My General Tubman connects two stories. One is set in present day Philadelphia and highlights a scenario that happens all too often- a young man named Nelson (played by Brandon Pierce) is charged with a crime he didn’t commit; his story is ignored and … Continue reading Harriet Tubman guides audiences through time in My General Tubman, at Arden Theatre.

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Reviews, Music and Arts

Step on over to Merriam Theater to witness the magic of Riverdance’s 25th anniversary.

-Brenda Hillegas Photo by Jack Hartin Finding a family-friendly, indoor event in winter isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Riverdance is here at the Merriam Theater for a limited engagement (only through January 26th) and it’s guaranteed to be an experience everyone will love. Whether you see this show once or many times, you’ll never grow tired of the beautifully choreographed numbers and breathtaking … Continue reading Step on over to Merriam Theater to witness the magic of Riverdance’s 25th anniversary.

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