Theater
Reviewed by critics Howard Shapiro (H.S.) and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).Aurelia's Oratorio(McCarter Theatre) Stage illusions to astonish the eye and boggle the mind. Previews Friday-Sept. 15, opens Sept. 16.
Curtains (Walnut Street Theatre) The Walnut kicks off with a backstage murder mystery by the creators of Chicago and Cabaret. Previews Tuesday-Sept. 14, opens Sept. 15.
Everybody Loves Opal (Montgomery Theater) A nice lady who lives by the dump attracts the attention of three ne'er-do-wells. Previews Thursday, Friday, opens Saturday.
Ghost-Writer (Arden Theatre Company) The writer dies, but his secretary keeps taking dictation. Michael Hollinger's first play since Opus. Previews Thursday-Sept. 14, opens Sept. 15.
Last Rites(South Camden Theatre Company) Camden's professional theater company opens its new home with a play full of memories. Opens Friday.
Chase Me, Comrade! (Hedgerow Theatre) The company's annual show by British farce master Ray Cooney involves a defecting ballet dancer, the defense ministry official who unknowingly shelters him, and a torrent of zaniness. Through next Sunday.
- H.S.Live Arts Festival/Philly FringeBack for the 14th year, the festival's 16 madcap days of dance, theater, music, invention, revulsion, excess, success, and fun all over town continue. For a full festival schedule, go to livearts-fringe.org.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Mauckingbird Theatre Company) Marvelous Mauckingbird gender-bends Shakespeare's already tangled love romp. Through next Sunday. - T.Z.
Video
Solitary Man *** Michael Douglas is at his best playing a character at his worst. Consider this unpitying look at a pitiful man, a disgraced businessman and incorrigible lech who seduces women and girls with daddy issues. Costarring Danny De Vito, Susan Sarandon, and Jenna Fischer. 1 hr. 30
R (profanity, drug use, sexual candor, irresponsibility) -
C.R.
