{"id":370842,"date":"2025-07-29T14:32:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T18:32:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=370842"},"modified":"2025-07-29T14:32:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T18:32:04","slug":"love-lust-and-language-get-the-laughs-in-apropos-of-nothing-at-keegan-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2025\/07\/29\/love-lust-and-language-get-the-laughs-in-apropos-of-nothing-at-keegan-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"Love, lust, and language get the laughs in &#8216;Apropos of Nothing&#8217; at Keegan Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Does a straight comedy about straight coupling sound like a clich\u00e9 to you? Well, rest assured, <em>Apropos of Nothing, a Comedy <\/em>is nothing of the sort. Although it is packed deliberately and wittily with what seems every clich\u00e9 under the sun, Greg Kalleres\u2019 lighthearted, quip-rich script is a howlingly funny and wholly fresh take on the vicissitudes of love and our curious attraction to hackneyed language.<\/p>\n<p>The DC premiere production, now on stage at Keegan Theatre, is a sheer delight, starting off with a set design by Josh Sticklin that encompasses at least 10 different playing areas \u2014 multiple bars, two bedrooms, an office, a living room \u2014 in each of which a separate scene will unfold. The anticipation engendered by this storybook set becomes its own savored moment in time.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_370924\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-370924\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-370924\" src=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AON-Press-1-800x600-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AON-Press-1-800x600-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AON-Press-1-800x600-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AON-Press-1-800x600-1-460x345.jpeg 460w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AON-Press-1-800x600-1-768x576.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-370924\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ryan Sellers as Owen and Irene Hamilton as Lily in \u2018Apropos of Nothing, a Comedy.\u2019 Photo by Cameron Whitman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The pleasures of the play itself kick in immediately, in a prologue, wherein Rebecca (Emily Erickson), a thirtysomething adjunct professor, has called into her office a 19-year-old student of hers, Jacob (Drew Sharpe), ostensibly to critique his clich\u00e9-ridden paper (which it really is, and Jacob\u2019s earnest defense is \u201cThat\u2019s the point\u201d). After a bit of banter between them about whether lame and lazy clich\u00e9s can pass as wise epigrams (she says no, he says yes), it becomes explicit that Jacob has a massive crush on Rebecca, which she regards with evident ambivalence, then asks him to leave. Thus are the play\u2019s entwined themes of love, lust, and language set up \u2014 and I was hooked like a fish.<\/p>\n<p>In the tightly structured script\u2019s next scene, set at a wedding reception, Rebecca\u2019s boyfriend, Owen (Ryan Sellers), having had much to drink, rambles on to a buddy, Dave (Dominique Gray), about the inconstancy of love, about how it comes and goes, ebbs and flows, even in committed relationships. Abruptly, \u201capropos of nothing,\u201d Owen blurts out that he\u2019s in love with his best friend\u2019s wife. And kaboom, just like that, the play is off to the races.<\/p>\n<p>In the following scene, Owen and his best friend, Martin (Justin Von Stein), are having a drink in one of the set\u2019s several bars when Martin says that Dave told him Owen is in love with Martin\u2019s wife, Lily. Kaboom, again. We\u2019ve now officially entered what-the-heck-is-going-to-happen-next territory.<\/p>\n<p>Case in point, the next scene, where we meet Lily (Irene Hamilton), who is being visited by Owen in her and Martin\u2019s living room. She is knitting to alleviate stress. She lets Owen know that Martin has told her Owen loves her. The scene devolves into Lily screaming hilariously into a pillow. In no time at all, Kalleres\u2019 comedically scripted chain reaction of surprise events and minibombshell revelations has become, under Ray Ficca\u2019s swift and savvy direction, the theatrical equivalent of a page-turner.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll not disclose more plot except to point out that the set has yet more bars and two bedrooms to be played in, and rest assured, they will be, like clockwork.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_370930\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-370930\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-370930\" src=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Apropos-of-Nothing-1000x800-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Apropos-of-Nothing-1000x800-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Apropos-of-Nothing-1000x800-1-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Apropos-of-Nothing-1000x800-1-460x368.jpg 460w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Apropos-of-Nothing-1000x800-1-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-370930\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">TOP LEFT: Emily Erickson as Rebecca and Drew Sharpe as Jacob; TOP RIGHT: Ryan Sellers as Owen and Dominique Gray as Dave; ABOVE LEFT: Justin Von Stein as Martin and Irene Hamilton as Lily; ABOVE RIGHT: Ryan Sellers as Owen and Emily Erickson as Rebecca, in \u2018Apropos of Nothing, a Comedy.\u2019 Photos by Cameron Whitman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Quick scene changes are abetted by Hailey LaRoe\u2019s kaleidoscopic lighting design and Brandon Cook\u2019s contemporary sound design. Cindy Landrum Jacobs\u2019s properties and set-dressing design lend each playing space authenticity. And given that several scenes play out under covers in bedrooms, Sierra Young\u2019s sensitive intimacy direction calls for a shoutout.<\/p>\n<p>The cast is superb. They each have an uncanny grasp of what\u2019s funny and what\u2019s the moment-to-moment emotional truth. Hamilton, mesmerizing as Lily, has hysterical episodes of meltdown. Sharpe as Jacob nails the callow and horny teen. Von Stein as Martin stays admirably stalwart. Sellers, who shines as Owen, conveys not-quite-self-aware even as he remains credibly guileless. Dominique Gray appearing briefly as Dave listened well. And Erickson as Rebecca navigates her tricky character arc with aplomb.<\/p>\n<p>With its moving messages about love and amusing motif of clich\u00e9s, <em>Apropos of Nothing, a Comedy <\/em>is a sure bet and you can bank on it. The cast\u2019s combined comic timing and the script\u2019s nonsop wit propel the momentum of this modern straight comedy of manners like nobody\u2019s business.<\/p>\n<p>Running Time: One hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/keegantheatre.com\/portfolio\/apropos-of-nothing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i>Apropos of Nothing, a Comedy <\/i><\/b><\/a>plays through August 10, 2025, at The Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St NW, Washington, DC. Performances are Thursdays to Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm, and select Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $54 ($44 for seniors and students) and available <a href=\"https:\/\/keegantheatre.com\/portfolio\/apropos-of-nothing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>online<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The cast and creative team bios are online <a href=\"https:\/\/keegantheatre.com\/portfolio\/apropos-of-nothing\/\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Apropos of Nothing, a Comedy<\/i><\/b><br \/>\nBy Greg Kalleres<\/p>\n<p>CAST<br \/>\nOwen: Ryan Sellers<br \/>\nMartin: Justin Von Stein<br \/>\nLily: Irene Hamilton<br \/>\nRebecca: Emily Erickson<br \/>\nJacob: Drew Sharpe<br \/>\nDave \/ Owen U\/S: Dominique Gray<br \/>\nLily &amp; Rebecca U\/S: Brenna Horner<br \/>\nJacob, Martin, &amp; Dave U\/S: Vishrut Shukla<\/p>\n<p>PRODUCTION TEAM<br \/>\nDirector: Ray Ficca<br \/>\nAssistant Director: Gabrielle Busch<br \/>\nIntimacy Director: Sierra Young<br \/>\nScenic Designer: Josh Sticklin<br \/>\nLighting Designer: Hailey LaRoe<br \/>\nSound Designer: Brandon Cook<br \/>\nProperties &amp; Set Dressing Designer: Cindy Landrum Jacobs<br \/>\nCostume Designer: Elizabeth Morton<br \/>\nProduction Manager: Emilie Maree Knudsen<br \/>\nStage Manager: Sarah Daniel<br \/>\nAssistant Stage Manager: Isabella Parkerson<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With its moving messages about love and amusing motif of clich\u00e9s, this modern comedy of manners plays like nobody\u2019s business.\u00a0   By JOHN STOLTENBERG<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":372508,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[735,35],"class_list":{"0":"post-370842","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reviews","8":"tag-greg-kalleres","9":"tag-ray-ficca"},"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.0 (Yoast SEO v26.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Love, lust, and language get the laughs in &#039;Apropos of Nothing&#039; 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But he kept going to the theater, the art form that for him has always been the most transcendent and transporting and best illuminates the acts and ethics that connect us. He tweets at @JohnStoltenberg. 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He writes both reviews and his Magic Time! column, which he named after that magical moment between life and art just before a show begins. In it, he explores how art makes sense of life\u2014and vice versa\u2014as he reflects on meanings that matter in the theater he sees. Decades ago, in college, John began writing, producing, directing, and acting in plays. He continued through grad school\u2014earning an M.F.A. in theater arts from Columbia University School of the Arts\u2014then lucked into a job as writer-in-residence and administrative director with the influential experimental theater company The Open Theatre, whose legendary artistic director was Joseph Chaikin. Meanwhile, his own plays were produced off-off-Broadway, and he won a New York State Arts Council grant to write plays. Then John\u2019s life changed course: He turned to writing nonfiction essays, articles, and books and had a distinguished career as a magazine editor. But he kept going to the theater, the art form that for him has always been the most transcendent and transporting and best illuminates the acts and ethics that connect us. He tweets at @JohnStoltenberg. Member, American Theatre Critics\/Journalists Association.","url":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/author\/john-stoltenberg\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/370842","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=370842"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/370842\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/372508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=370842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=370842"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=370842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}