Theater: New and Noteworthy
New This Week Fun Home (Forrest Theatre). Based on Alison Bechdel's memoir, a bittersweet family musical. Tuesday through June 18.
New This Week
Fun Home
(Forrest Theatre). Based on Alison Bechdel's memoir, a bittersweet family musical. Tuesday through June 18.
Evita (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University, Center Valley, Pa.). Glittering rendition of the Webber/Rice classic musical. Wednesday through July 2.
Mother Emmanuel (New Freedom Theatre). A new musical play about the lives that ended in the church shooting in Charleston, S.C. Wednesday through June 25.
The Roses in June (Plays & Players Theatre). World premiere of Timothy Kolman's play about the Rose family, who flee Nazi Germany for what they hope will be a better life in London. Wednesday through July 1.
Always, Patsy Cline (Media Theatre). Fangirl's view of the gifted Americana singer. Thursday through July 2.
Rosemary Clooney & Friends: Come on-a My House (Bristol Riverside Theatre). A singer, her times, and her tunes. Thursday through June 25.
Continuing
Reviewed by Tirdad Derakhshani (T.D.), Jim Rutter (J.R.), and John Timpane (J.T.).
The American Revolution (Arden Theatre Company / Studio Theatre). Seven actors zip through the country's story in a little less than an hour. Ends Sunday.
Brighton Beach Memoirs (Act II Playhouse, Ambler). Neil Simon's first "Eugene" play follows a teen stumbling toward manhood in Depression-era Brooklyn. Ends next Sunday.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope; Perelman Theater) Buddy returns with a rockin' ride on the meteor of Holly's career. From the Bucks County Playhouse, it goes south on I-95 to the Perelman to resume rocking. (Bucks County Playhouse, through Saturday; Perelman Theater, June 24-July 9). - J.T.
Denial (Playcrafters, Skippack). Peter Sagal's play about the First Amendment and the limits of free speech. Sunday and June 15-17.
Dogs of Rwanda (InterAct Theatre). Dan Hodge in a National New Play Network world premiere about the darkness and dangers of war. June 11-12 and 17-18.
The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord (Lantern Theater Company). Three greats of the 19th century compare notes in the afterlife. Through July 2.
Gypsy (Arden Theatre Company). Gypsy makes her way through the last days of vaudeville. A disappointingly provincial production, with lovely costumes and good moments, but lacking energy. Through June 19. - J.R.
HIR (Simpatico Theatre Company at the Louis Bluver Theatre). A woman is set free to help a child transition - and to dismantle the patriarchy. Through June 25.
How to Use a Knife (InterAct Theatre Company). In a busy Wall Street restaurant, a master chef and an immigrant forge a singular bond. Powerful, perplexing in parts, with a great turn by Scott Greer. Ends next Sunday. - T.D.
The Little Mermaid (Steel River Playhouse, Pottstown). The Disney version of the beloved tale, featuring the best in local talent. Ends Sunday.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley). A slimmed-down, clever, small-cast version, with energy and surprises. Ends Sunday. - J.R.
Motown the Musical (Academy of Music). The most classical - and most danceable - of American pop. Nearly 60 pulsing tunes, with incredibly talented singers and dancers. Ends Sunday. - J.T.
One More River to Cross (Pulley & Buttonhole Theatre Company at the Latvian Society). World premiere of Pulitzer-winner Lynn Nottage's music/drama piece based on late-1930s WPA interviews with former slaves. A powerful, sweeping production that transcends a few flaws. Ends Sunday. - T.D.
Peter and the Starcatcher (Eagle Theatre, Hammonton, N.J.). The grown-up's prequel to Peter Pan. Ends Sunday.
Project Dawn (People's Light, Malvern). A revolutionary court in Philly serves a passionate and shockingly funny group of women. Through June 27.
Saturday Night Fever (Walnut Street Theatre). In 1979 Brooklyn, Tony and Stephanie train together for a dance competition. You'll sing and dance the rest. Tremendous talent, and a worthwhile story arc, about the dark side of working-class life. Through July 16. - T.D.
School Play (St. Peter's School). Tribe of Fools' show about how school is just, well, comically painful for many kids; you'll recognize a lot of the stories. Sunday and Monday, and June 15-18 and 22-25.
Uncle Vanya (Quintessence Theatre Company). Thwarted ambition, thwarted loves, a certain gun, and classic Chekhov. Ends next Sunday.
West Side Story (Media Theatre). Warring street gangs and an unlikely romance. Ends Sunday.