All stories by Celia Wren on BroadwayStars

Thursday, November 30, 2023

At the Shakespeare Theatre, ‘As You Like It’ meets the Beatles by Celia Wren

About two dozen Fab Four standards are incorporated in this staging of the popular comedy.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 04:12PM
Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Olney’s ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ revival is mostly a missed opportunity by Celia Wren

Timely themes and innovative framing aren’t enough to enliven this Olney Theatre staging of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:24PM
Wednesday, November 15, 2023

‘Public Obscenities’ playwright asks, ‘Who gets to be an artist?’ by Celia Wren

Known for bold works, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company shifts gears with Shayok Misha Chowdhury’s subtle drama.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:18PM
Saturday, November 11, 2023

‘The Jazz Continuum’ explores Black social dance — from past to present by Celia Wren

Choreographer LaTasha Barnes celebrates the decades-spanning ties between manifestations of Black artistry in music and dance.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 09:06AM
Thursday, November 9, 2023

‘Ragtime’ choreographer has a ‘director’s mind’ by Celia Wren

With Signature Theatre’s latest musical, choreographer Ashleigh King uses movement to advance the narrative.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 06:36PM
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Solas Nua’s ‘The Honey Trap’ is powerful taste of a playwright’s talent by Celia Wren

Leo McGann’s world-premiere play about violence in 1979 Belfast and its aftermath muses on guilt and collateral damage.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 05:18PM
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Bygones aren’t bygones in Mosaic’s lively ‘Confederates’ by Celia Wren

Dominique Morisseau’s time-traveling play ponders how racism and sexism have endured across American history

SOURCE: Washington Post at 01:48PM
Thursday, November 2, 2023

A fruitful harvest from Spooky Action Theater’s ‘Agreste’ by Celia Wren

Production is the U.S. premiere of award-winning play by Brazilian writer Newton Moreno.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 05:06PM
Saturday, October 21, 2023

How a Beyoncé dancemaker ended up on the Yellow Brick Road by Celia Wren

JaQuel Knight was recruited to choreograph a revival of “The Wiz,” now on tour and bound for Broadway in 2024.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 06:25AM
Monday, October 16, 2023

‘Macbeth in Stride’ plays like a rock concert, with Lady M center stage by Celia Wren

Shakespeare Theatre’s version of the Scottish play centers on women’s experience

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:13PM
Monday, October 9, 2023

Olney’s ‘Brothers Paranormal’ gets the fright right by Celia Wren

Prince Gomolvilas’s 2019 play, a tale of loss, fresh starts and ghostly doings, is notable for its frightening sequences.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 05:13PM
Monday, October 2, 2023

Synetic’s ‘Tell-Tale Heart’ has some amazing moments, but too often drags by Celia Wren

The adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s concise 1843 masterpiece falls prey to repetition and monotony.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 06:07PM
Monday, September 25, 2023

Signature’s delightful ‘King of the Yees’ pulls you into its zaniness by Celia Wren

Lauren Yee’s 2017 comic play about identity, family and heritage is bolstered by a top-notch cast and direction.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 06:55PM
Wednesday, September 20, 2023

In ‘Espejos: Clean,’ the performances gleam by Celia Wren

Christine Quintana’s compassionate bilingual play, “Espejos: Clean,” is deftly acted and directed at Studio Theatre.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:37PM
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

A playwright takes down a problematic memorial, with comedy by Celia Wren

In Mosaic Theater’s “Monumental Travesties,” playwright Psalmayene 24 critiques D.C.’s controversial Emancipation Memorial.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 04:25PM
Monday, September 11, 2023

Playing a conflicted priest, Raúl Méndez steals this GALA show by Celia Wren

Nilo Cruz’s wistful “Baño de luna (Bathing in Moonlight)” is running at GALA Hispanic Theatre through Oct. 1.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 06:25PM
Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Eclectic fall performances span decades of dance history by Celia Wren

Highlights include NYCB, Martha Graham, Dorrance Dance and Urban Bush Women.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 07:19AM
Thursday, August 17, 2023

Pass the absinthe: This ‘Moulin Rouge!’ is a cynical steamroller by Celia Wren

While the musical dazzles visually, its tired tale and bloated jukebox score fall flat at the Kennedy Center.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 03:19PM
Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Exhilarating ‘Fela!’ is your ticket to the coolest club in Nigeria by Celia Wren

Duain Richmond leads a terrific ensemble cast in Olney Theatre Center's "Fela!"

SOURCE: Washington Post at 05:19PM
Friday, July 7, 2023

This ‘Spring Awakening’ hasn’t quite blossomed by Celia Wren

Monumental Theatre Company’s staging of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s Tony-winning musical can be gawky.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:19PM
Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Stirring performances inhabit Studio Theatre’s ‘Fun Home’ by Celia Wren

Quinn Titcomb is part of a terrific cast that lifts the latest 'Fun Home' staging, directed by David Muse

SOURCE: Washington Post at 05:19PM
Thursday, June 29, 2023

At 83, ‘Lion King’ choreographer Garth Fagan is still inventing moves by Celia Wren

The Jamaican dancemaker’s papers are going to the archives at the Library of Congress, and his Tony-winning show is at the Kennedy Center through July 29.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 06:19AM
Thursday, June 22, 2023

Immersive ‘Sonnets’ moves around as it muses on life’s brevity by Celia Wren

Review of Spooky Action Theater’s immersive “Sonnets for an Old Century.”

SOURCE: Washington Post at 02:49PM
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

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
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