Shereen Ahmed (Countess Ellen Olenska) and A.J. Shively (Newland Archer) in The Age of Innocence at Arena Stage.

Photo by Daniel Rader. Shereen Ahmed (Countess Ellen Olenska) and A.J. Shively (Newland Archer) in The Age of Innocence at Arena Stage.

When I first read Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence in high school, I thought it was brilliant, a beautifully bittersweet take on the rules of society. Jane Austen’s protagonists always got their happily ever afters, but Wharton’s main characters found out that the ton, whether in Manhattan or London, could be too powerful to successfully subvert. Fast forward 30 years, and Karen Zacarías’ take on the classic novel is on stage at Arena Stage, and it is such a faithful and fabulous stage adaptation. 

The cast wonderfully captures the characters I’ve known for decades. Shereen Ahmed is absolutely luminous as Countess Ellen Olenska, who has bravely left her abusive Polish nobility husband to return to New York City, where she proves too independent, worldly, and unconventional for fashionable (but incredibly rigid) society circles. A.J. Shively is well-cast as Newland Archer, a scion who has just gotten engaged to Ellen’s beautiful-but-boring cousin May (Delphi Borich). May is Ellen’s foil, a lovely, mild-mannered, small-thinking conformist. Newland’s head wants May, but his heart is intrigued by the vivacious Ellen.

Felicia Curry is perfectly cast as the narrator and Granny Mingott, May and Ellen’s powerful grandmother and matriarch. Even the ensemble actors are terrific as they waltz and watch the opera and promenade up Fifth Avenue. There’s real depth to the production’s set design, with it’s shiny chandeliers and decor, and the gorgeous period costumes.

My husband, who was not blessed enough to have forward-thinking, feminist English teachers in high school, loved the play despite never having read the book. The play does justice to all of Wharton’s themes and continues to make us think about the cost of conformity, the weight of societal expectations, and the ugliness of class snobbery. 

Delphi Borich (May Welland) and A.J. Shively (Newland Archer) in The Age of Innocence at Arena Stage

Photo by Daniel Rader. Delphi Borich (May Welland) and A.J. Shively (Newland Archer) in The Age of Innocence at Arena Stage

ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Age of Innocence, In the Fichandler Stage | February 28 – March 30, 2025

Written by Edith Wharton and Adapted for the stage by Karen Zacarías 
Directed by Hana S. Sharif
Starring Shereen Ahmed, A.J. Shively, Felicia Curry, Delphi Borich

Against the lavish backdrop of 1870s New York, where hypocrisy thrives and hidden passions simmer, Karen Zacarías brings Edith Wharton’s timeless masterpiece, The Age of Innocence, to the stage. This adaptation unveils a searing critique of high society’s suffocating norms, presenting a riveting tale of forbidden desires. Surrounded on all sides by an ocean of societal conformity, love clashes with duty, and innocence is sacrificed. Follow the compelling journey of Newland Archer as he grapples with the rigid constraints of privilege, torn between tradition and the allure of forbidden passion.

Run time: Approx. 3 hours with one 15-minute intermission

Support for The Age of Innocence is provided by Sue Henry and Carter Phillips and PNC.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

  • Tickets start at $59 plus applicable fees. Ticket prices and availability are subject to change. Get tickets here.
  • Arena Stage’s many savings programs include “pay your age” tickets for those aged 35 and under; military, first responder, and educator discounts; student discounts; and “Southwest Nights” for those living and working in the District’s Southwest neighborhood. To learn more, visit arenastage.org/savings-programs.
  • Performance Dates:
    • Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
    • Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m.
    • Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
    • Weekday matinees at 12 p.m. on March 12, March 20, and March 26
  • Early Curtain: Sunday, March 23 at 6 p.m.
  • Southwest Nights: Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m. and Friday, March 14 at 8 p.m.
  • Audio-Described Performance: Saturday, March 29 at 2 p.m.
  • ASL-Interpreted Performance: Saturday, March 29 at 2 p.m.
  • Mask-Required Performances: Saturday, March 8 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Closed Captioning: GalaPro begins Friday, March 7
  • Industry Night: Sunday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Pride Night: Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m.
  • HBCU/Divine Nine Night: Thursday, March 13 at 8 p.m.
  • Steeped in Success: A Tea Party Celebration of DC’s Women Leaders: Saturday, March 15, 12 to 3 p.m. A The Age of Innocence-inspired tea party celebrating female leaders in the DC community. More details to come.

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