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Welcome to the Theatre Reviews section of Queer Reviewed!
Here you'll find my reviews for theatre productions, celebrating my first love: the stage.
While I'll primarily be focusing on Philly theatre reviews, this will also be the space where I review Broadway, Off-Broadway, and other regional theatrical productions.
REVIEW: Turds in Hell (EgoPo Classic Theater, Philadelphia PA)
EgoPo Classic Theater produces the rarely seen Theatre of the Ridiculous play, Turds in Hell, in a production that doesn't reach the level of absurdity that it could. Read the review by queer Philly critic Frank Schierloh.
Frank Schierloh
1 day ago3 min read
57 views
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REVIEW: Iphigenia in Splott (Inis Nua Theatre Company)
Inis Nua presents the thought-provoking play Iphigenia in Splott, in a top notch production that mostly succeeds.
Frank Schierloh
Mar 213 min read
52 views
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REVIEW: The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Irish Heritage Theatre)
Irish Heritage Theatre presents Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane in a production that never fully reaches the heights it could.
Frank Schierloh
Mar 113 min read
67 views
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REVIEW: Spring Awakening (City Theater Company; Wilmington, DE)
City Theater Company presents the rock musical with a talented group of artists that don't quite connect all the dots.
Frank Schierloh
Dec 19, 20244 min read
105 views
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REVIEW: Confabulation (The Strides Collective, Philadelphia PA)
The Strides Collective presents the premiere of the new play Confabulation, in a production that never quite hits the marks it's aiming for.
Frank Schierloh
Oct 16, 20243 min read
66 views
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Queer Reviewed Roundup: Philadelphia Fringe Festival Final Weeks!
Final two weeks of Fringe rolled up into one review roundup! Celebrate the end of Fringe season with this collection of reviews.
Frank Schierloh
Oct 7, 20245 min read
55 views
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Queer-Reviewed Roundup: Philly Fringe Festival Week Two
The second week of the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival continues to bring diverse art to the city! Check out my new set of reviews!
Frank Schierloh
Sep 17, 20247 min read
127 views
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Queer-Reviewed Roundup: Philly Fringe Festival Week One
Welcome to my the Queer Reviewed round-up of several productions during the first week of the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
Frank Schierloh
Sep 10, 20248 min read
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REVIEW:Father Comes Home From the Wars Parts I, II & III (Quintessence Theatre Group, Germantown PA)
Quintessence Theatre Group presents Suzan-Lori Parks epic play in a solidly performed and directed production.
Frank Schierloh
Jun 9, 20243 min read
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REVIEW: Once On This Island (Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia PA)
The Arden Theatre presents a ravishing production of the Musical Once on this Island with a stellar cast and creative team.
Frank Schierloh
May 28, 20244 min read
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CABARET REVIEW: Down a Yellow Brick Road-The Music of Judy Garland.
Go into the world of cabaret for a fabulous evening of Judy Garland music and celebration of being queer. Tyler Houchins is a cabaret star.
Frank Schierloh
May 26, 20244 min read
88 views
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REVIEW: Dancing at Lughnasa (City Theater Company, Wilmington, DE)
City Theater Company presents the Irish classic in a beautifully elegant production that will leave you dancing and thinking.
Frank Schierloh
Apr 22, 20244 min read
195 views
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REVIEW: Macbeth (Quintessence Theatre Group, Germantown PA)
Quintessence Theatre Group presents the Scottish Play in a production that feels like too many ideas, without enough execution.
Frank Schierloh
Mar 26, 20244 min read
337 views
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REVIEW: Disney’s Frozen (National Tour, Academy of Music, Philadelphia PA)
The National tour of Frozen comes to Philly in a production that is visually great, a little too mature, and vocally great!
Frank Schierloh
Mar 25, 20244 min read
55 views
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REVIEW: Big the Musical (Bristol Riverside Theatre, Bristol PA)
Big the Musical is brought to stage at Bristol Riverside Theatre in a production that is entertaining, but a script that struggles to score.
Frank Schierloh
Mar 23, 20243 min read
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REVIEW: Once Upon A Bridge (Inis Nua Theatre Company, Philadelphia, PA)
Inis Nua presents the Philly premiere of Once Upon a Bridge in an uneven production that seems afraid to pass judgement on its subject.
Frank Schierloh
Mar 10, 20243 min read
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REVIEW: Girl from the North Country (National Tour, Forrest Theatre, Philadelphia)
Girl from the North Country is a unique theatre piece. At times maddening, beautiful, hilarious and confusing, it is a mixed bag of a show.
Frank Schierloh
Feb 29, 20243 min read
60 views
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REVIEW: The Little Prince (Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia, PA)
Quintessence Theatre Group stages a musical adaptation of The Little Prince. While charming, it never soars like the source material.
Frank Schierloh
Dec 22, 20233 min read
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REVIEW: The Fantasticks (Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia, PA)
Quintessence Theatre stages the classic love story, The Fantasticks. A delightful production, filled with great performances and direction.
Frank Schierloh
Dec 20, 20233 min read
108 views
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REVIEW: Fat Ham (Wilma Theater, Philadelphia, PA)
The Pulitzer Prize winning play returns to Philadelphia in a rapturous production, filled with a stellar cast and meaningful story.
Frank Schierloh
Dec 12, 20234 min read
131 views
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REVIEW: Company (National Tour, Forrest Theatre, Philadelphia)
The Broadway revival of Company arrives in Philadelphia with a stellar cast and a production that soars more frequently than confounds.
Frank Schierloh
Dec 2, 20235 min read
78 views
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Review: Madame Ovary (Inis Nua Theatre Company, Philadelphia, PA)
Inis Nua presents the American Premiere of the hilarious and heartfelt Madame Ovary, with a truly splendid central performance.
Frank Schierloh
Nov 12, 20232 min read
69 views
0 comments
REVIEW: Camp Siegfried (Theatre Exile, Philadelphia, PA)
The regional premiere of Bess Wohl's play is given an engaging production that elevates the script, but doesn't quite overcome its problems.
Frank Schierloh
Nov 6, 20233 min read
92 views
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REVIEW: No Exit (Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia PA)
The new translation of No Exit premieres at Quintessence theatre Group in a production that ultimately misses the mark.
Frank Schierloh
Oct 14, 20233 min read
68 views
0 comments
REVIEW: The Mystery of Irma Vep (Bristol Riverside Theatre, Bristol PA)
Ring in the Halloween season with the campy and often hilarious production of The Mystery of Irma Vep at Bristol Riverside Theatre.
Frank Schierloh
Oct 10, 20233 min read
24 views
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REVIEW: Assassins (Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia, PA)
The Arden Theatre's production of the Sondheim/Weidman musical battles against the concept it's given, adding to the show's divisiveness.
Frank Schierloh
Oct 2, 20233 min read
145 views
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REVIEW: BAZZAR (Cirque du Soleil, Oaks, PA)
Cirque du Soleil does it again with a stellar Bazzar! Infused with classic acrobatics and clowning it is a wonderful night under the big top
Frank Schierloh
Sep 30, 20233 min read
125 views
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FRINGE REVIEW: She Was a Conquistawhore. (Rachel O'Hanlon Rodriguez and Pardners)
Funny and heartfelt, She Was a Conquistawhore is a wonderful embodiment of all that the Philadelphia Fringe Festival is and could be.
Frank Schierloh
Sep 26, 20233 min read
60 views
0 comments
REVIEW: Major Barbara (Quintessence Theatre Group, PA)
Quintessence Theatre Group presents Shaw's Major Barbara with a fantastic cast, but some strange theatrical choices that don't quite land.
Frank Schierloh
Sep 21, 20233 min read
134 views
0 comments
FRINGE REVIEW: Black Wood (Gunnar Montana Productions, Philadelphia)
Gunnar Montana and Company have achieved macabre dance excellence with their production of Black Wood. It's perfect for Halloween time!
Frank Schierloh
Sep 19, 20233 min read
80 views
0 comments
REVIEW: August: Osage County (Footlighters Theater, Berwyn PA)
The new American classic, August: Osage County is brought to life with wonderful performances at the Footlighters Theater in Berwyn.
Frank Schierloh
Sep 16, 20233 min read
266 views
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REVIEW: Fiddler on the Roof (Players Club of Swarthmore; Swarthmore, PA)
The Players Club of Swarthmore puts on the perennial favorite Fiddler on the Roof. A decent production that shows how good the script is.
Frank Schierloh
Sep 9, 20233 min read
333 views
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FRINGE REVIEW: Birth. Sparkle. Death. (Cannonball Festival, Philadelphia)
A review of the show Birth. Sparkle. Death. Part of the Philadelphia Fringe and Cannonball Festivals. By Queer Philly Critic Frank Schierloh
Frank Schierloh
Sep 4, 20233 min read
34 views
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REVIEW: Little Women (OJ Productions, Philadelphia)
A small theatre company tackles the beloved classic in a production that is uneven with an adaptation that feels rushed.
Frank Schierloh
Aug 25, 20234 min read
113 views
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Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare in Clark Park): The 70's Were Wild.
The rarely produced Two Gentlemen of Verona musical gets a concert production at Shakespeare in Clark Park, where it can't shake the 70's.
Frank Schierloh
Jul 27, 20234 min read
44 views
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Other Orbits (Applied Mechanics): A Space Fantasia That Falls Short
Other Orbits, by Applied Mechanics, is a visually arresting piece that ultimately doesn't do enough with the big ideas it presents.
Frank Schierloh
Jul 14, 20233 min read
59 views
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Beetlejuice on Tour (Kimmel Center): Adaptation, Adaptation, Adaptation!
A strong book, and not as strong score are the key takeaways of the touring production of Beetlejuice the musical. Review by Frank Schierloh
Frank Schierloh
Jun 7, 20233 min read
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ABANDON (Theatre Exile): A Hopeful Show with Discomfort Attached
James Ijames' world premiere play Abandon at Theatre Exile is a fascinating examination of grief and moving on, anchored by great acting.
Frank Schierloh
May 4, 20234 min read
135 views
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JOHNNY DEPP: A RETROSPECTIVE ON LATE STAGE CAPITALISM (Jenna Kuerzi): A coin-tossing good time!
Johnny Depp is a controversial figure: watch him get lampooned by Philly entertainer Jenna Kuerzi in her one woman take down of the bad boy.
Frank Schierloh
Apr 2, 20233 min read
26 views
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (Theatre Unspeakable): An Historical Miss
Review of Theatre Unspeakable's The American Revolution. An hour long educational show that doesn't quite hit the mark on quality.
Frank Schierloh
Mar 30, 20232 min read
21 views
0 comments
Six on Tour (Kimmel Center): Slay Queens!
Six is an exuberant musical about the 6 wives of Henry VII, with amazing performances, fun choreo and songs that will get stuck in your head
Frank Schierloh
Mar 26, 20232 min read
52 views
0 comments
THE BEAR & AFTERPLAY (Irish Heritage Theatre):An Unbalanced Take on Chekov
My review of Irish Heritage Theatre's production of The Bear & Afterplay. An uneven production that explores Chekov adaptations.
Frank Schierloh
Mar 7, 20233 min read
43 views
0 comments
EMPATHITRAX (Philadelphia Theatre Company):What tools can…or, should you use to save a relationship?
One can never fully understand what another person is feeling and going through. But what if you could with a simple drug: Empathitrax?
Frank Schierloh
Feb 18, 20233 min read
34 views
0 comments
THE LIGHT (Theatre Exile): A couple finally, authentically communicating
True to its namesake, this play illuminates to the characters and audience that that difficult conversations are essential.
Frank Schierloh
Feb 11, 20232 min read
41 views
0 comments
Clyde's @ The Arden: A Satisfying Sandwich.
Read the review of "Clyde's" at the Arden Theatre Company of Philadelphia PA, as written by Frank Schierloh for Queer Reviewed.
Frank Schierloh
Jan 30, 20234 min read
56 views
0 comments
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