Studio's blazing 'Pass Over' reimagines 'Godot' for the Black Lives Matter era by Celia Wren

The genius of Antoinette Nwandu's play lies especially in the way it aligns harrowing reflection with the Beckett template.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 5:12pm on March 11, 2020[SHARE]

Coronavirus looms over this play set during a plague. But 'The Amateurs' speaks to timeless concerns. by Celia Wren

Jordan Harrison's work, at Olney Theatre through April 5, is also a valentine to the alchemy of the stage.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:03pm on March 9, 2020[SHARE]

Movement adds depth to this Broadway musical about 1940s veterans by Celia Wren

"Bandstand," with Tony-winning choreography by "Hamilton's" Andy Blankenbuehler, is at the National Theatre through Sunday.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 2:12pm on March 4, 2020[SHARE]

'Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes' veers jarringly from comedy to darkness by Celia Wren

Signature Theatre's sold-out play showcases terrific performances but feels tonally jolting.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:12am on March 2, 2020[SHARE]

'The Wanderers' roams with a hungry heart by Celia Wren

Theater J takes on Anna Ziegler's funny and compassionate play about chronic dissatisfaction.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:12pm on February 27, 2020[SHARE]

At Keegan Theatre, 'Boy' gracefully ponders gender identity by Celia Wren

Director Susan Marie Rhea's staging brings out the heart and urgency in Anna Ziegler's 2016 play.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 6:03pm on February 19, 2020[SHARE]

Constellation's '39 Steps' is a comic thriller without thrills by Celia Wren

Gags are the soul of the production, but pulling off this kind of funny business is tricky.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 1:42pm on February 18, 2020[SHARE]

'Mother Road' is often a slog despite burnished production at Arena Stage by Celia Wren

The play, like its namesake route, is ambitious, unwieldy, conspicuously significant and uncomfortably long.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 1:42pm on February 18, 2020[SHARE]

GALA's 'Exquisita Agonia' pours its heart out by Celia Wren

2018 play written and directed by Nilo Cruz brims with poetry and oversize emotion.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 2:54pm on February 13, 2020[SHARE]

'Silent Sky' tells the story of pioneering female astronomers with humor and warmth by Celia Wren

Sleek production of Lauren Gunderson play is now at Ford's Theatre.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 4:24pm on February 3, 2020[SHARE]

Acting warms Washington Stage Guild's too-tidy 'Bloomsday' by Celia Wren

The Steven Dietz play ponders time, love, regret and the fragility of human connection.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 4:54pm on January 30, 2020[SHARE]

At the Kennedy Center, a reimagined 'Boléro,' through a South African lens by Celia Wren

Choreographer Gregory Maqoma sees positivity in 'Cion: Requiem of Ravel's Boléro' " a piece about mourning.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 7:03pm on January 22, 2020[SHARE]

Distinctive characters energize Mosaic Theater's 'Pilgrims Musa & Sheri' by Celia Wren

Yussef El Guindi's play thoughtfully ponders the issues of migration, assimilation and barriers to understanding.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 2:54pm on January 22, 2020[SHARE]

The drama of saving refugee children in 1939, and a journey that's just as moving and meaningful today by Celia Wren

Theater J's "Sheltered" benefits from powerful themes and pivotal performances.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 4:18pm on January 16, 2020[SHARE]

No winter wonderland in slushy 'Snow Queen' by Celia Wren

Synetic Theater's production does boast some gripping sequences, but there's a general deficit in tension.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:03pm on December 15, 2019[SHARE]

'Peter Pan and Wendy' adapter takes science on an awfully big adventure by Celia Wren

In production at Shakespeare Theatre, playwright Lauren Gunderson has found another female heroine in Wendy Darling.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 11:48am on December 12, 2019[SHARE]

In 'Airness,' the axes are invisible but the play is loud by Celia Wren

Chelsea Marcantel's underdog tale about air-guitar aficionados gets an exuberant run at the Keegan Theatre.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 2:36pm on November 19, 2019[SHARE]

At Theater J, Albee's 'Occupant' takes a lifeless look at the life of Louise Nevelson by Celia Wren

The late sculptor looks back on her career in this contrived and starchy portrait of the artist.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 7:06pm on November 16, 2019[SHARE]

Bravo for reviving the play that scandalized Jane Austen's world by Celia Wren

Elizabeth Inchbald's "Lovers' Vows" features a hilarious performance " the butler did it.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 5:48pm on November 11, 2019[SHARE]

'Occupant' at Theater J celebrates sculptor Louise Nevelson and her art " without actually using any of it by Celia Wren

The set design and costuming for the play about the late sculptor are meant to evoke the feeling of the artist without replicating her sculptures or clothes.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 11:54am on November 7, 2019[SHARE]

Everything but the continental breakfast at 'Crystal Creek Motel' by Celia Wren

A Flying V Theatre world premiere serves up a dozen vignettes, with mixed results.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 4:24pm on October 16, 2019[SHARE]

Daring idea, but flawed e xecution, in 'Day of Absence' by Celia Wren

Douglas Turner Ward's award-winning satirical fantasy is the central component of the Theater Alliance production.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 10:42pm on October 14, 2019[SHARE]

Timely 'The Royale' comes out swinging by Celia Wren

With a 1910 boxing match at its center, this Marco Ramirez play contemplates entrenched racism in America.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:54pm on October 10, 2019[SHARE]

Synetic's 'Tempest' is splashy but brooding by Celia Wren

The pool of water covering the stage makes for some exciting scenes, but it also detracts from the show's spell.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 3:42pm on October 8, 2019[SHARE]

A giddy poet lights up 'Candida' by Celia Wren

George Bernard Shaw's eloquent rom-com muses and amuses at Undercroft Theatre.

SOURCE: Washington Post at 11:33am on October 1, 2019[SHARE]