Indecent

Indecent, a deeply moving play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, comes to 1st Stage from June 4 through June 28, 2026. Directed by Alex Levy, the production is inspired by the true events surrounding the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s “God of Vengeance”—a work seen by some as a seminal piece of Jewish culture and by others as an act of traitorous libel. The play charts the history of that incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it, reminding audiences that there is nothing indecent about love. 1st Stage has recently extended the run to accommodate demand.

Playwright: Paula Vogel, Director: Alex Levy

When: June 4–June 28, 2026. Performances are scheduled as follows: June 5 at 7:30pm; June 6 at 2pm and 7:30pm; June 7 at 2pm; June 11 at 7:30pm; June 12 at 7:30pm; June 13 at 2pm and 7:30pm; June 14 at 2pm; June 18 at 7:30pm; June 19 at 7:30pm; June 20 at 2pm and 7:30pm; June 21 at 2pm; June 25 at 7:30pm; June 26 at 7:30pm; June 27 at 2pm and 7:30pm; June 28 at 2pm. (Note: Opening night is June 4; no specific time for that date is listed in the text, but performances are available for purchase on the ticketing page.)

Tickets: Click on a performance to purchase via the 1st Stage ticketing system. Pricing is not specified in the provided text.

Run time: Not stated.

Ages: Not specified.

Venue: 1st Stage, located in Tysons, Virginia. 1st Stage believes everyone should have access to exceptional theatre.

Accessibility: Open captioned performances are offered on June 11 at 7:30pm, June 12 at 7:30pm, June 13 at 2pm and 7:30pm, and June 14 at 2pm. An audio-described performance takes place on June 14 at 2pm. Mask required performances are on June 13 at 7:30pm.

Cast: Zach Brewster-Geisz as Otto, Lily Burka as Chana, Nicole Halmos as Vera, Lauren Hart as Halina, Ethan J. Miller as Lemml, Stephen Russell Murray as Mendel, Ben Ribler as Avram. Understudies: Sasha Rosenbaum (Chana/Halina U/S), Jane Petkofsky (Vera U/S), Nicolas John Burgos (Lemml/Avram U/S).

Design Team: Scenic Designer Kathryn Kawecki; Lighting Designer William K. D’Eugenio; Costume Designers Rakell Foye and Maria Bissex (Assistant Costume Designer Nadia Kuffar); Sound Designer Ethan Balis; Props Designer Pauline Lamb; Choreographer Robert Bowen Smith; Intimacy Coordinator Lorraine Ressegger; Music Directors Joe Walsh, Marika Anne Countouris, and Deborah Jacobson; Dialect Coach Susan Lynskey; Stage Manager Sarah Usary; Assistant Stage Managers Terrence Griffin and Rah Matthews; Violin Raea Jean-Leinster; Clarinet/Bass Clarinet and Others Dana Gardner; Assistant Director Rocky Nunzio.

Note: Community Conversations follow selected 2pm performances. On June 6 at 2pm: Meet the Design Team. On June 7 at 2pm: Meet the Director Alex Levy. On June 13 at 2pm: Meet the Cast. On June 15 at 7:30pm: Meet the Cast on Zoom (register for free). The production is presented with generous support from Sandy Laeser in honor of Dick Laeser.