1st Stage Theatre Brings Paula Vogel's Indecent to the Stage

Paula Vogel's "Indecent" is coming to 1st Stage Theatre in Tysons, Virginia for a limited run from June 4 through June 21, 2026, and it arrives with the kind of dramatic and historical weight that makes it essential viewing for DC-area theatre lovers.

Inspired by true events surrounding the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch's "God of Vengeance," Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning play traces the turbulent life of a drama that divided audiences and artists alike. Asch's work was embraced by some as a seminal achievement of Jewish culture and condemned by others as an act of traitorous libel, and Vogel excavates that tension with remarkable care, following the performers who risked their careers — and in some cases their lives — to bring it to the stage. TheaterMania has written that audiences are "indebted to Vogel for reminding us of a brave play that fearlessly told the world there's nothing indecent about love," a sentiment that captures both the play's emotional generosity and its continued relevance.

The 1st Stage production reunites several artists with a strong history at the company. Ethan J. Miller, who has appeared in "The Waverly Gallery," "Postcards from Ihatov," and "The Chosen" among others, returns alongside Zach Brewster-Geisz and Stephen Russell Murray, both veterans of "The Chosen," with Murray's credits also including "Never the Sinner." Joining them for the first time at 1st Stage are Lily Burka, Nicole Halmos, Lauren Hart, and Ben Ribler. The production is directed by Artistic Director Alex Levy, whose recent work at the company includes "Birthday Candles," "The Lake Effect," and "The Waverly Gallery."

The design team brings considerable depth to the production. Kathryn Kawecki handles scenic design, William K. D'Eugenio designs the lighting, and Ethan Balis is responsible for sound. Costumes are by Rakell Foye, props by Pauline Lamb, with music direction by Joe Walsh and choreography by Robert Bowen Smith. Susan Lynskey provides dialect coaching and Lorraine Ressegger-Slone serves as intimacy coach — an appropriate and thoughtful addition given the material.

Performances run Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm. The runtime is approximately ninety minutes with no intermission. General admission tickets are dynamically priced at $25, $40, and $55, with $15 tickets available for students, educators, and military. Tickets can be purchased at www.1ststage.org or by calling the box office at 703-854-1856.

1st Stage is an award-winning professional theatre at the heart of the Tysons community, and its recent momentum has been remarkable — the company's production of "The Nance" earned four Helen Hayes Awards in 2025, including Outstanding Production, making it the most nominated production in the region that year. "Indecent" looks to continue that tradition of ambitious, emotionally resonant work.