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With a name inspired by the First Amendment, 1A explores important issues such as policy, politics, technology, and what connects us across the fissures that divide the country. The program also delves into pop culture, sports, and humor. 1A's goal is to act as a national mirror-taking time to help America look at itself and to ask what it wants to be.
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1A

With a name inspired by the First Amendment, 1A explores important issues such as policy, politics, technology, and what connects us across the fissures that divide the country. The program also delves into pop culture, sports, and humor. 1A's goal is to act as a national mirror-taking time to help America look at itself and to ask what it wants to be.

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Shapiro on Theater

Playwright Jacqueline Goldfinger (provided)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment

With ‘Babel,’ a Philly playwright to get six world premieres

The drama, about a society that tolerates only perfect pregnancies tested in utero, is being mounted, and refined, at National New Play Network theaters.

2 years ago

Wilma Theater's four co-artistic directors pose in the middle of South Broad Street, across from the theater. From left: James Ijames, Blanka Zizka, Yury Urnov and Morgan Green. (Photo courtesy of Wide Eyed Studio)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment

One Wilma Theater artistic director becomes four, in a new leadership model

Each new addition will spend a season as lead artistic director, picking shows, casts and design teams with advice from the others, including Blanka Zizka.

2 years ago

Tanaquil Márquez (left) and Brett Ashley Robinson in a skit about self-care at 'This Is the Week That Is.' (Courtesy of Mark Garvin)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment

Sharpening the sting for ‘This Is the Week That Is’

A reporter eavesdrops on the give-and-take in the writers’ room during prep for the stage spoof 1812 Productions has produced over the holidays for the past 14 years.

2 years ago

Where is Shrek in the ensemble shot from Walnut Street Theatre's main stage? Hint: He's sorta green. (Photo courtesy of Mark Garvin)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment

The holidays take the stage, with various ‘Carols’ and a lot more

Philadelphia-area theaters are offering a variety of fare, mostly bright and meant for families, and keeping with the spirit of the season.

3 years ago

People's Light staff tries on the glasses. At the right foreground is Lisa Sonneborn, director of media arts and culture at Temple University's Institute on Disabilities, one of the partners in the project to bring the Smart Caption Glasses to the United States. (Courtesy of People's Light)
Shapiro on Theater
Community

Adapted for the stage: Glasses that stream captions in real time improve access for hearing impaired

At People’s Light, a first for the U.S.: tech that times captions to live action and stage delivery that might vary slightly from performance to performance.

3 years ago

The ensemble of Theatre Horizon's 'The Color Purple,' which won best production of a musical and other honors at the Barrymore Awards on Monday night. (Courtesy of Alex Medvick)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment
Shapiro on Theater

’Gem’ and ‘Color Purple’ dominate Barrymore Awards

Arden Theatre Company’s “Gem of the Ocean” and Theatre Horizon’s “The Color Purple” took home the most Barrymore Awards.

3 years ago

Alfonso Barón (left) and Luciano Rosso in 'Un Poyo Rojo,' a dance lampooning male competition and an entry in this year's Philadelphia Fringe Festival. (Courtesy of Paola Evelina)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment
Shapiro on Theater

The Philly Fringe 2019: It’s time again to explore the unknown

Philadelphia Fringe Festival opens Sept. 5 and runs for 18 days with 158 different shows: theater, dance, music, circus, film and visual art, plus digital.

3 years ago

Akeem Davis and Zuhairah in Arden Theatre Company’s production of 'Gem of the Ocean,' which received 11 Barrymore nominations, the most for any production staged last season. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Smith/ Wide Eyed Studios)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment

‘Gem of the Ocean’ helps Arden top Barrymore Award nominations

August Wilson’s drama has received 11 nominations for this year’s awards for excellence in professional theater, which were announced Monday.

3 years ago

Sabrina Aganier, acrobat and contortionist, high above the stage in Cirque du Soleil's “Amalŭna,” now inside Cirque's Big Top constructed in Oaks, Montgomery County. (Photo courtesy of Yanick Déry for Cirque du Soleil)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment
Shapiro on Theater

A Cirque du Soleil moment: ‘Amalŭna’ under the big top

The production is loosely based on Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” It’s the magic, and the tumbling, the flying, and the daredevils, that make the experience.

3 years ago

Carla Belver and Jack Hoffman in the Act II Playhouse production of
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment
Shapiro on Theater

Old age in the new age, in ‘Kalamazoo’ at Act II Playhouse

Two septuagenarians who have lost their spouses are looking to fill out their lives with … well, they’re not exactly sure.

3 years ago

Nondumiso Tembe as Cleopatra and Neal Bledsoe as Marc Antony in rehearsal for Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s production of 'Antony and Cleopatra' opening for previews Wednesday. (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment

On power, privacy, and gender politics: ‘Antony and Cleopatra,’ at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra” runs July 10 through Aug. 4 as part of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.

3 years ago

Tiffany Rachelle Stewart (left) and Gillian Glasco in the world-premiere production of
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment
Shapiro on Theater

Generations of change in West Chester, in ‘Mud Row’ from People’s Light

The play, set in West Chester, Pennsylvania, nimbly toggles back and forth in time to show the history in the foreground of the characters’ lives.

3 years ago

In The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium production of 'Betty's Summer Vacation,' (from left) Bill Rahill, Anthony Crosby, Amanda Schoonover, Kirsten Quinn and Tina Brock. (Photo courtesy of Johanna Austin/austinart.org)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment
Shapiro on Theater

‘Betty’s Summer Vacation’ in hell, from Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium

Christopher Durang’s one-act play, produced by the Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium, brings its own laughs as it dallies with taboos.

3 years ago

In Quintessence Theatre Group's production of 'One Man, Two Guvnors,' (from left) Desmond Confoy, Jered McLenigan and Sean Close. (Courtesy of Linda Johnson)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment
Shapiro on Theater

‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ and a whole lot of laughing, from Quintessence Theatre

Quintessence Theatre Group’s bam-bam production whizzes by, even though it’s a very full two acts. There’s music and slapstick and more, through June 30.

3 years ago

Terran Scott, Mehki Williams, and Grace Tarves in Lantern Theater Company's world premiere production of 'Minors' by Kittson O'Neill and Robert Kaplowitz. (Courtesy of Mark Garvin)
Shapiro on Theater
Arts & Entertainment
Shapiro on Theater

Inspired by truth, ‘Minors’ for cash, a new musical from Lantern Theater

Luzerne County's "cash for kids" scandal inspires a musical at the Lantern Theater.

3 years ago

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Critic Howard Shapiro offers reviews and insights into Philadelphia's theater scene.

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