All stories by Celia Wren on BroadwayStars

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
Thursday, September 15, 2022

It’s movement, not dialogue, that carries Synetic’s ‘Host and Guest’ by Celia Wren

Based on a 19th-century narrative poem, this revival of the theater’s 2002 production is at its best in wordless scenes of battle and hunting.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 08:25PM
Monday, September 12, 2022

A tale of love and refuge in Theater J’s ‘Old Stock’ klezmer musical by Celia Wren

Playwright Hannah Moscovitch drew from her grandparents’ story as refugees in the early 20th century.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 03:25PM
Friday, July 15, 2022

Tony-winning musical ‘Six’ brings girl power to the National Theatre by Celia Wren

The irreverent, cathartic take on history reimagines King Henry VIII’s wives as pop-star queens.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 04:07PM
Monday, July 11, 2022

In Studio’s ‘The Hot Wing King,’ hanging out is on the menu by Celia Wren

Pulitzer Prize-winning work by Katori Hall runs at Studio Theatre through July 31

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:07PM
Wednesday, July 6, 2022

‘The Band’s Visit’ is back, and so is Sasson Gabay by Celia Wren

Israeli actor Sasson Gabay originated the role of Tewfiq in the 2007 film 'The Band's Visit.' He has been playing the part in the stage musical since 2018.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 11:03AM
Friday, July 1, 2022

This ‘Music Man’ wins us over in sign language by Celia Wren

Olney Theatre Center production of the classic musical features Deaf and hearing actors

SOURCE: Washington Post at 07:54PM
Monday, June 27, 2022

In Mosaic premiere, Benjamin Benne’s ‘In His Hands’ muses on sex, faith by Celia Wren

World premiere runs through July 17 at Atlas Performing Arts Center.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 04:54PM
Tuesday, June 21, 2022

‘Red Velvet’ spotlights a pioneering Black actor who played Othello by Celia Wren

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production tells the story of Ira Aldridge, an American actor in 1833 London.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 09:54AM
Tuesday, June 14, 2022

‘Maz & Bricks’ is a sharp, symphonic look at loss and resilience by Celia Wren

Timely staging from Solas Nua of Irish playwright Eva O’Connor’s character-rich two-hander.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 07:48PM
Monday, May 30, 2022

In ‘A Monster Calls,’ a boy learns the ropes of anguish and change by Celia Wren

British stage adaptation of Patrick Ness's novel features the story of a boy whose daily anxieties lead to spooky nights.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 11:42AM
Monday, May 16, 2022

Spoken-word poetry buoys ‘The Joy That Carries You’ in Olney premiere by Celia Wren

An uplifting vision is at the heart of new play by local playwrights Awa Sal Secka and Dani Stoller.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:03PM
Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Mosaic Theater’s ‘Marys Seacole’ is an ode to mothers of all stripes by Celia Wren

Jackie Sibblies Drury’s historically inspired meditation on caregiving draws on the autobiography of a British Jamaican nurse.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 01:54PM
Wednesday, May 4, 2022

High marks for Studio Theatre’s ‘John Proctor Is a Villain’ by Celia Wren

A knockout cast anchors Kimberly Belflower’s inspired play, which speaks to Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” and #MeToo

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:54PM
Monday, May 2, 2022

Outdoor setting suits Faction of Fools’ merry ‘Missed Connections’ by Celia Wren

D.C. theater troupe specializes in commedia dell’arte, the centuries-old street-theater form.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:33PM
Tuesday, April 26, 2022

New-play festival at Round House: Travelogue outpaces hostage drama by Celia Wren

Two world premieres, “It’s Not a Trip It’s a Journey” and “We Declare You a Terrorist … ,” are running in rotating repertory in inaugural National Capital New Play Festival.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:07AM
Tuesday, April 12, 2022

At Keegan Theatre, satirical ‘Yoga Play’ strikes a warrior pose by Celia Wren

Katie McManus as CEO Joan is a highlight of Dipika Guha's gleeful skewering of the athleisurewear-meets-enlightenment mind-set.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:37PM
Monday, April 4, 2022

Pointless Theatre’s ‘Rhinoceros,’ while flawed, throws its weight around by Celia Wren

French dramatist Eugène Ionesco’s 1959 absurdist classic provides a shock of connection and recognition in our hyperpartisan era.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 04:37PM
Friday, April 1, 2022

Sis finds hot-girl soul of Ado Annie in ‘Oklahoma!’ at Kennedy Center by Celia Wren

Q&A with Sis, the trans actress playing Ado Annie in the touring production of 'Oklahoma!'

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:42AM
Thursday, March 10, 2022

Washington Stage Guild’s ‘Mrs. Warren’s Profession’ has a firm grip on comedy and critique by Celia Wren

Production of the 1893 George Bernard Shaw play, at the Undercroft Theatre through March 27, features terrific performances.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:36PM
Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Washington Avant Bard’s ‘Ada and the Engine’ doesn’t always run smoothly by Celia Wren

Now stodgy, now delightful, the Lauren Gunderson play is anchored by winning actress Dina Soltan as 19th-century inventor Ada Lovelace .

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:48PM
Monday, February 7, 2022

Psalmayene 24’s autobiographical ‘Dear Mapel’ has a promising yet uneven debut by Celia Wren

Mosaic Theater Company production, in-person and streaming, could use more connective tissue between antecdotes

SOURCE: Washington Post at 03:33PM
Thursday, February 3, 2022

Keegan’s ‘Trans Am’ is an absorbing autobiographical show of transgender experience, enhanced by a rock score by Celia Wren

Production is the in-person premiere for Lisa Stephen Friday’s solo show.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 03:06PM
Tuesday, January 25, 2022

‘Compulsion’ follows the journey of Anne Frank’s diary from the page to the stage, with marionettes by Celia Wren

Playwright Rinne B. Groff's 'Compulsion' follows the backstory of Anne Frank's diary and its journey from the page to the stage.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:36AM
Monday, January 24, 2022

Beckett the Brawler? Towering statures meet buddy comedy in ‘Sam and Dede.’ by Celia Wren

Washington Stage Guild production of Gino DiIorio’s play imagines a decades-spanning relationship between wrestler André the Giant and playwright Samuel Beckett.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:48PM
Wednesday, December 15, 2021

At Studio Theatre, the plight of Afghan orphans comes alive in miniature dioramas by Celia Wren

Glasgow’s Vox Motus brings its innovative and emotional storytelling to D.C.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:24AM
Friday, November 19, 2021

‘My Children! My Africa!’ still resonates in expected and unexpected ways by Celia Wren

Timely themes, and one splendid performance, sustain Washington Stage Guild’s production of Athol Fugard’s 1989 play.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:12PM
Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Full-court banter and intensity mark a gripping ‘Great Leap’ at Round House Theatre by Celia Wren

A stellar cast embodies the idiosyncratic characters in the Lauren Yee play.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:18PM
Sunday, November 14, 2021

Olney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ succeeds with a Belle who brings complexity to the role by Celia Wren

Jade Jones leads a cast in a thoughtful, if occasionally flawed, take on a Disney megahit.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 01:54PM
Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Prolific playwright Lauren Yee bounces back from pandemic cancellations with two area productions by Celia Wren

Yee’s ‘The Great Leap’ at Round House will be followed by Arena’s ‘Cambodian Rock Band’ next spring

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:06AM
Tuesday, November 2, 2021

At Olney Theatre, casting ‘Beauty and the Beast’ with an eye to inclusion by Celia Wren

Disney’s musical fairy tale about looking beyond lookism takes on added resonance.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:42AM

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