All stories by Celia Wren on BroadwayStars

Monday, June 19, 2023

Round House’s take on ‘Radio Golf’ finds just the right frequency by Celia Wren

This adaptation of August Wilson’s play about a mayoral candidate and a real-estate deal brings forth charismatic performances.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:13PM
Thursday, June 15, 2023

British play about antisemitism takes a personal, poignant approach by Celia Wren

Theater J production of Stephen Laughton’s “One Jewish Boy,” about two lovers of different backgrounds, is all too timely.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:33PM
Thursday, June 8, 2023

These summer dance offerings will make you feel like moving by Celia Wren

Highlights include the American Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow and an eerie clown ballet from the San Francisco Ballet.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 07:37AM
Tuesday, May 23, 2023

The Hollywood spoof ‘Exclusion’ goes deeper than cynical satire by Celia Wren

Kenneth Lin’s barbed comedy, having its world premiere at Arena Stage, delves into how Hollywood misrepresents, suppresses and distorts Asian American history.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:18PM
Friday, May 5, 2023

Washington Ballet’s vibrant ‘Sleeping Beauty’ is Julie Kent’s parting gift by Celia Wren

The company’s artistic director is leaving after seven years in D.C. to join the leadership ranks of the Houston Ballet.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 03:18PM
Thursday, May 4, 2023

Savory performances stand out in hammy ‘School for Lies’ by Celia Wren

Matthew Pauli shines as the stuffy servant in "School for Lies," David Ives’s take on Molière’s “The Misanthrope.”

SOURCE: Washington Post at 01:03PM
Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Women’s work is no joke. But this dark comedy turns it into a treat. by Celia Wren

Morgan Gould’s “Jennifer Who Is Leaving," part of Round House Theatre’s new play festival, features a top-notch cast.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 06:54AM
Friday, April 14, 2023

Native American activist takes the spotlight in ‘On the Far End’ by Celia Wren

Mary Kathryn Nagle’s solo play, part of Round House Theatre’s new play festival, tells the inspiring story of Muscogee leader Jean Chaudhuri.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 01:54PM
Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Mosaic’s powerful ‘Unseen’ explores cost of looking away from suffering by Celia Wren

A top-notch cast anchors Mona Mansour’s penetrating 2017 play about a war photographer working in the Middle East.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 03:02PM
Saturday, April 1, 2023

Ballet companies take a page from classic literature and bring it to life by Celia Wren

“The Crucible” and “Anna Karenina” are among the some newer ballets inspired by novels.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 06:32AM
Wednesday, March 29, 2023

In the historic comedy ‘Ben Butler,’ a serious war of words by Celia Wren

Washington Stage Guild production of Richard Strand’s 2014 play uses comedy to touch on some of the darkest chapters in America’s past.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 01:36PM
Thursday, March 16, 2023

At Theater J, ‘Gloria’ shares Steinem’s stories as well as her activism by Celia Wren

Monday’s opening-night performance of "Gloria: A Life" featured an appearance by the activist herself.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 12:52PM
Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Bringing Japan and its traditions to Signature’s ‘Pacific Overtures’ by Celia Wren

The creative team for Sondheim’s infrequently produced show includes experts on Japanese swordplay, Kabuki and taiko drumming.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:50AM
Tuesday, March 14, 2023

‘A Nice Indian Boy’ is a meet-the-parents comedy that’s too familiar by Celia Wren

At Olney Theatre Center, Madhuri Shekar’s 2014 play benefits from Lynette Rathnam’s impeccable comic timing.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 01:31PM
Wednesday, March 8, 2023

At Studio Theatre, Lynn Nottage’s ‘Clyde’s’ serves up hope and humor by Celia Wren

Directed by Candis C. Jones at the D.C. theater, the Lynn Nottage play delves into grim systemic problems.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 01:34PM
Thursday, February 16, 2023

Constellation’s sleek ‘Incognito’ explores the mysteries of the brain by Celia Wren

Nick Payne’s play finds drama in the work of scientists, including the pathologist who autopsied Albert Einstein

SOURCE: Washington Post at 01:40PM
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Cartoonish comedy is in the crabgrass in this ‘Native Gardens’ by Celia Wren

GALA Hispanic Theatre’s world premiere is a Spanish-language adaptation that lacks subtlety

SOURCE: Washington Post at 12:56PM
Friday, February 3, 2023

Work by Thai American dancemaker is milestone for New York City Ballet by Celia Wren

Choreographer Keerati Jinakunwiphat’s “Fortuitous Ash,” with score by Du Yun, is featured in the company’s winter season in New York.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 06:00AM
Monday, January 23, 2023

Buckle up for the dark, hilarious ‘Ride the Cyclone’ at Arena Stage by Celia Wren

Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell’s musical imagines the supernatural yet human aftermath of a freak roller-coaster accident.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 03:20PM
Thursday, December 1, 2022

Magic and comedy power an enchanting ‘Tempest’ at Round House Theatre by Celia Wren

The magic, is as eye-catching as it is suited to Shakespeare’s tale of enchantment and reconciliation.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 04:03PM
Tuesday, November 29, 2022

At Round House Theatre, a literally magical ‘Tempest’ by Celia Wren

Produced in collaboration with the Folger, Shakespeare’s sorcery-centric play is directed and adapted by Aaron Posner and the magician Teller.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 04:42PM
Tuesday, November 8, 2022

A haunting portrait of Emmett Till comes full circle in ‘Till Trilogy’ by Celia Wren

Mosaic Theater Company stages all three of Ifa Bayeza’s history-based plays. The most intriguing is the second part, “Benevolence.”

SOURCE: Washington Post at 04:32PM
Saturday, November 5, 2022

Solas Nua mounts an updated ‘Playboy of the Western World’ by Celia Wren

D.C. production of of J.M. Synge’s play is set in a far different Ireland from the 1907 of its premiere: multicultural, modern and urban

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:24PM
Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Sink your teeth into one of these ‘Dracula’ stagings by Celia Wren

Synetic Theater production is far more inventive than Rorschach's heavy-handed staging in a vacant firehouse.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:37PM
Monday, October 24, 2022

Constellation revives ‘Once on This Island’ to joyful effect by Celia Wren

A winning staging of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s 1990 musical runs through Nov. 6 at the Source.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 03:33PM
Sunday, October 23, 2022

In Olney’s ‘Dance Nation,’ the exuberance and pitfalls of adolescence by Celia Wren

Olney Theatre Center delivers a poignant production of the 2018 off-Broadway hit "Dance Nation," about a troupe of Ohio middle-schoolers.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 05:33PM
Monday, October 17, 2022

This 1928 drawing-room comedy comes across as a musty museum piece by Celia Wren

“Holiday,” at Arena Stage through Nov. 6, is pleasant enough but tends to lumber along.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 05:33PM
Friday, October 14, 2022

A play about a werewolf, with the audience in the middle of the woods by Celia Wren

Playwright Bob Bartlett has staged his work in a laundromat. His latest show, ‘Lykos Anthropos,’ is performed outside, by flashlight.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 08:13AM
Thursday, October 13, 2022

'My Calamitous Affair’ is a long-winded dramatic footnote by Celia Wren

Written by Ari Roth, formerly of Theater J and Mosaic Theater, the play speaks to a narrow audience.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 09:03AM
Monday, October 3, 2022

‘Trip to Bountiful’ at Ford’s Theatre is a journey too far back in time by Celia Wren

Nostalgia for a bygone America in the 1953 work by Horton Foote lands uneasily today.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 03:25PM
Thursday, September 22, 2022

In Round House premiere of ‘Nine Night,’ mourning becomes electric by Celia Wren

A terrific cast, led by Lilian Oben, anchors the depiction of grief and tension from Natasha Gordon.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 04:25PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards