FORBIDDEN LOVE AND THE GILDED AGE GLOW
IN ARENA’S DAZZLING PRODUCTION,
BUT THE AGE OF INNOCENCE LINGERS
Playwright Karen Zacarías (Destiny of Desire which premiered at Arena in 2015, Native Gardens) breathes new life into Edith Wharton’s 1920 classic The Age of Innocence, blending period drama with sharp social commentary. Set in Gilded Age New York, it illuminates Wharton’s critique of rigid conventions and personal sacrifice. Wharton’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel remains a cornerstone of American literature, celebrated for its exploration of social constraint, irony, and the cost of personal freedom. Its enduring relevance is reflected in adaptations like Martin Scorsese’s 1993 film and, especially, the current production at Arena Stage, directed by Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif.
Felicia Curry (Granny Mingott)
At the heart of the story is Newland Archer (A.J. Shively), a young lawyer poised to marry the proper, demure May Welland (Delphi Borich) but torn by his deepening attraction to her cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska (Shereen Ahmed). A woman of scandal and independence, Ellen has returned to New York seeking refuge from an unhappy marriage, unsettling the rigid decorum of high society. Zacarías preserves Wharton’s incisive examination of social constraints.
Delphi Borich (May Welland) and A.J. Shively (Newland Archer)
Shively brings an earnest vulnerability to Newland, making his internal turmoil both compelling and tragic. His chemistry with Ahmed crackles with tension, their relationship feeling both inevitable and impossible. Meanwhile, Borich’s May Welland, often dismissed as naïve, is played with a quiet calculation that suggests a deeper awareness of the forces keeping Newland bound to her.
A.J. Shively (Newland Archer) and Delphi Borich (May Welland) 
Wharton herself is almost anthropological in her depiction of New York’s elite, dissecting their social structures with both intimacy and detachment. Her narrator (aptly portrayed by Felicia Curry)—presumably a version of Wharton—is not overtly critical of this world but maintains a wry, ironic tone, exposing how tradition stifles personal freedom. While Zacarías retains much of Wharton’s sharp wit, the reliance on narration occasionally dampens the emotional immediacy, preventing the characters from fully embodying the critique through action alone.
A.J. Shively (Newland Archer), Shereen Ahmed (Countess Ellen Olenska)
Visually, the production is breathtaking. Fabio Toblini’s costume design captures the opulence of the Gilded Age, with sumptuous satin and brocade gowns meticulously pleated and gathered. May’s soft pastels and structured silhouettes reinforce her image as the epitome of social decorum, while Ellen’s striking jewel-toned gowns—ruby red, emerald green, and sapphire blue—set her apart, emphasizing her defiance of convention. Tommy Kurzman’s wig and hair design enhances the actors’ transformations, allowing seamless shifts between multiple roles.
Shereen Ahmed (Countess Ellen Olenska), A.J. Shively (Newland Archer)
Tim Mackabee’s set design balances grandeur and restraint, with lavish chandeliers, elegant theater boxes at each corner, and ornate furnishings. Xavier Pierce’s lighting further heightens the contrasts in the story, shifting from warm candlelit glows in moments of social conformity to stark, cool tones in scenes of emotional upheaval.
Shereen Ahmed (Countess Ellen Olenska), A.J. Shively (Newland Archer)
Yet, at nearly three hours, the production feels overly drawn out. Streamlining the narration and allowing the characters to drive the storytelling would bring much-needed fluidity. Additionally, the frequent reliance on an elaborate central scenic transition—what feels like a deus ex machina—disrupts momentum. A swifter, simpler approach—perhaps by occasionally utilizing the vomitoriums at the four corners—would keep the pacing taut without sacrificing the production’s elegance.
Shereen Ahmed (Countess Ellen Olenska) and Delphi Borich (May Welland)
Overall, The Age of Innocence at Arena Stage is a visually stunning, thought-provoking production that balances the grandeur of Gilded Age New York with the deep emotional complexities of its characters. However, a tighter runtime and more efficient staging choices would enhance its impact, ensuring the production remains as crisp and compelling as Wharton’s novel itself.
Delphi Borich, A.J. Shively, and Shereen Ahmed
photos by Daniel Rader
The Age of Innocence
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
Fichandler Stage, 1101 Sixth Street SW in D.C.
3 hours with intermission
Tues and Wed at 7:30; Thurs & Fri at 8; Sat at 2 & 8: Sun at 2 & 7:30
check for weekday matinees at 12pm
ends on March 30, 2025
for tickets ($59-$99), call 202.488.3300 or visit Arena Stage
for more shows, visit Theatre in DC
