GALA's 'Dancing in My Cockroach Killers' is gritty and lyrical by Celia Wren

The bilingual musical showcases six confident actors.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 1:33pm on June 11, 2018☆⚑

Vivid 'Tempest' at WSC Avant Bard by Celia Wren

Fierce minions shine in uneven production.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 2:42pm on June 6, 2018☆⚑

'Swimming With Whales' explores deep feelings at 1st Stage by Celia Wren

The world premiere run in Tysons Corner features compelling performances.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 1:36pm on June 4, 2018☆⚑

Spooky Action Theatre's 'Small Room' for patient fans of the offbeat by Celia Wren

A handsome production of a maddening play.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 1:42pm on May 23, 2018☆⚑

Part rock opera, part Holocast memoir, 'Iron & Coal' ultimately disappoints by Celia Wren

World premiere at Strathmore heartfelt, but lyrics tend toward cliche.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 6:04pm on May 4, 2018☆⚑

A Brecht saga from Constellation and a historical play from GALA by Celia Wren

Female courage is on display in "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" and "In the Time of the Butterflies."

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:42pm on April 17, 2018☆⚑

Happenstance delivers easygoing 'Cabaret Noir' by Celia Wren

It's a production complete with fedoras, trench coats and an enigmatic dame in red.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:06pm on April 3, 2018☆⚑

Hub Theatre's 'The Pavilion' revisits the past by Celia Wren

High school reunion brings couple together after shattered romance

SOURCE: Washington Post at 2:36pm on April 2, 2018☆⚑

Review: An 'Alabama Story' that has national relevance by Celia Wren

The topicality of "Alabama Story" infuses a theatrical moment that feels spontaneous yet intriguingly layered.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 12:14pm on March 29, 2018☆⚑

When the afterlife is digitized in a video game by Celia Wren

Rorschach Theatre's "410[GONE]" is a sensory-overload Land of the Dead.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 9:36pm on March 27, 2018☆⚑

An 'Alabama Story' that has national relevance by Celia Wren

Washington Stage Guild's production of Kenneth Jones's play about segregation feels timely.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 9:36am on March 27, 2018☆⚑

One actress commands the stage in Scena Theatre's 'The Beckett Trio' by Celia Wren

Nanna Ingvarsson, and her mouth, is a tour de force.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 11:12am on March 21, 2018☆⚑

Theater Alliance, 1st Stage sets tensions between historical visionaries by Celia Wren

"The Raid" imagines Frederick Douglass and John Brown arguing about how to end slavery.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 1:06pm on February 20, 2018☆⚑

'A Selfie Affair' fizzles at GALA by Celia Wren

The midlife crisis is explored in this flawed comedy.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:12pm on February 5, 2018☆⚑

Bringing Baltimore's fiercely independent Cone sisters to the stage by Celia Wren

The pioneering sisters acquired Modernist masters in early 1900s.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 9:42am on January 26, 2018☆⚑

The Ceausescus as vampires on the fringe of the Women's Voices festival by Celia Wren

And, from another emerging troupe, an earnest script on autism.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 6:36pm on January 24, 2018☆⚑

Two plays tackle American history, from police brutality to the presidency by Celia Wren

"Rabbit Summer" focuses on a trio grappling with systemic racism while "45 Plays for 45 Presidents" gives a chronological spoof of U.S. leaders.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 2:24pm on January 15, 2018☆⚑

Mary and Joseph are 'totally freaked-out' teens in the new 'Peekaboo!' by Celia Wren

Hub Theatre presents a comic holiday premiere from Anne M. McCaw.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 8:42am on December 7, 2017☆⚑

Terrific cast in Theater J's rendering of Uhry comedy by Celia Wren

Play about Jewish elites in 1930s Atlanta depicts social and cultural tensions.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 4:12pm on December 6, 2017☆⚑

If you want to steer clear of Scrooge, two stages provide different holiday fare by Celia Wren

MetroStage, Stage Guild offer Christmas variety.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 1:48pm on November 28, 2017☆⚑

'Asher Lev' at 1st Stage: Choosing to be an artist despite public condemnation by Celia Wren

In Tysons Corner, a sensitive production of the Chaim Potok novel.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:48pm on November 21, 2017☆⚑

Slapstick, mugging, uneven acting in this 'Dog in the Manager' by Celia Wren

We Happy Few bring Lope de Vega's 17th-century comedy to the stage.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:33pm on November 14, 2017☆⚑

Avant Bard recalls a French scientific genius by Celia Wren

In the afterlife, our heroine remembers her love affairs and her work.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 1:36pm on October 23, 2017☆⚑

Posner's puppet-packed 'Our Town' is a bit too cutesy by Celia Wren

Olney's mounting of the landmark Thornton play includes some fine human moments.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 12:04pm on October 9, 2017☆⚑

Constellation delivers spirited 'Wild Party' by Celia Wren

Story centers on two vaudeville performers and a rowdy shindig that ends in violence.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 1:54pm on September 27, 2017☆⚑