fragments inspired by stage and screen
Lover of ghost lights, movies, stories of creative lives, magic of live performance, storytelling in song.
[repost of an entry in my dramaturgy blog on the Philadelphia Dramatists Center web site. Original post can be found at: http://www.pdc1.org/viewthisblog.php?post=77%5D “Criticism is a habit of mind, a discipline of writing, a way of life” by Martha Wade Steketee A.O. Scott has crafted a bittersweet and reflective piece on the state of arts criticism in America, “A Critic’s Place, […]
This past Sunday I was honored to be front row center at Studio 54 for the smashing new review / testimonial / romp / reverential comedic Sondheim fest called in […]
[Repost of an entry in my dramaturgy blog on the Philadelphia Dramatists Center web site. Original: http://www.pdc1.org/viewthisblog.php?post=72] “Serendipitous Acts of Fate and Community”: A report of an event, a publication, a […]
I have been mulling a gorgeous and evocative essay by Lyn Gardner entitled “Theatres and the ties that bind us” in The Guardian Monday 15 February 2010. A favorite passage […]
In 1976, I was completely unaware that the location of my introduction to Casablanca (1942) was a theatre with an instrumental role in the post WWII “cult of Casablanca” history […]
[article originally published at Philadelphia Dramatists Center site, November 5, 2009.] About Howard Shapiro: HOWARD SHAPIRO joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 1970. He has been a general assignment reporter, has […]
[article originally published at Philadelphia Dramatists Center site, November 4, 2009.] About Wendy Rosenfield: Wendy Rosenfield has written freelance features and theater criticism for the Philadelphia Inquirer since 2006 and […]
[article originally published at Philadelphia Dramatists Center site, October 26, 2009.] About Mark Cofta: Mark Cofta has been a theatre critic for Philadelphia City Paper since January 2006; before then, […]
[article originally published at Philadelphia Dramatists Center site, October 26, 2009.] About Toby Zinman: Toby Zinman is Professor of English at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she […]
[reposted from the Rivendell Theatre Ensemble’s production blog for These Shining Lives, 23 December 2008 http://rtegreenroom.blogspot.com/2008/12/pondering-this-play-by-martha-wade.html%5D “I never dreamed I’d have a now of my own that looked this good.” […]
[originally published: http://www.films42.com//guests/hounddog.asp%5D Hounddog Written and Directed by Deborah Kampmeier Starring Dakota Fanning, Piper Laurie, David Morse, Robin Wright Penn An Empire Film Group release Reviewed by Martha Wade Steketee […]
[Repost of a blog entry I posted on the Association for Women Journalists web site at the end of the initial year (2007-2008) of the Young Critics Circle project (also called the Cindy Bandle Young Critics program) co-administered by AWJ and the Education Department of the Goodman Theatre to train high school age women in the art and wonders of […]
Michael Buble in Concert Auditorium Theatre, Chicago Mezzanine (first balcony), 1st row, center, aisle reviewed by Martha Wade Steketee July 25, 2007 First row of the balcony, with my November 2006 Streisand concert mates at the stunningly refurbished and historic Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. Prepared to see, as sister-in-law mentioned in passing as I got ready to leave her West […]
[originally published: http://www.aislesay.com/CHI-MRS.html%5D MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION by George Bernard Shaw Directed by David Darlow Featuring Annabel Armour, Kevin Gudahl, and Joe Van Slyke Remy Bumppo Theatre Company at Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theatre 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue / (773) 871-3000 http://remybumppo.org Through April 22, 2007 Reviewed by Martha Wade Steketee March 18, 2007 Remy Bumppo‘s production of “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” staged in […]
[originally published: http://www.aislesay.com/CHI-GATWOZ.html%5D THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE WIZARD OF OZ by Phillip C. Klapperich Adapted from the Novel by L. Frank Baum Directed and Choreographed by Tommy Rapley House Theatre of Chicago at Northlight Theatre 9501 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL / (847) 673-6300 http://www.northlight.org Through March 11, 2007 Reviewed by Martha Wade Steketee March 2, 2007 Do we really need […]
[originally published: http://www.aislesay.com/CHI-MACK.html%5D MACK & MABEL Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman Book by Michael Stewart Directed by Kevin Bellie Featuring John Steinhagen, Cat Davis, and Brigitte Ditmars Circle Theatre 7300 W Madison, Forest Park, IL / (708) 771-0700 http://www.circle-theatre.org Through April 7, 2007 Reviewed by Martha Wade Steketee February 28, 2007 The beloved and little-seen Jerry Herman musical “Mack […]
urban excavations 