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Dying City

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Dying City is a dramatic stage play by American playwright Christopher Shinn, which premiered in 2006 Off-West End at Royal Court Theatre,[1] and later Off-Broadway in 2007[2] and 2019. The play follows a therapist, whose husband died in the Iraq war, and her confrontation with her late husband's twin brother who believes a different story about his death.[3] The play was a finalist for the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.[4][5]

Dying City
2007 Off-Broadway production poster
Written byChristopher Shinn
CharactersKelly
Craig
Peter
Date premieredMarch 4, 2006
Place premieredRoyal Court Theatre
Original languageEnglish
GenreDrama

Plot

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The play is set around 2004-2005 and follows Kelly, a therapist who lost her husband, Craig, a year prior fighting in the Iraq war. When her late husband's gay twin brother, Peter arrives unannounced, suspecting that Craig's death was not an accident, the two must confront the truth within the walls of a small Manhattan apartment.[6][7]

Production history

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2006 Off-West End production

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The play first had its world premiere Off-West End at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Starring Sian Brooke as Kelly and Andrew Scott as both Peter and Craig, the latter in flashbacks. The production ran from March 4 to June 10, 2006.[8]

The production received mixed reviews. Variety praised the show, calling it Shinn's "best writing" and lauding the characters as "marvelously articulate."[9] The Guardian gave the show three stars, praising the play's "emotional wallop," but lamented that parts felt like "a piece of American navel-gazing."[10]

2007 Off-Broadway production

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The play had its American premiere Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center Theatre's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, running from February 15 to April 29, 2007.[11] Directed by James Macdonald, the production starred Rebecca Brooksher as Kelly and Pablo Schreiber as Peter/Craig.[12]

The production received positive reviews, with The New York Times praising it as "crafty and unsettling" and a "quiet, transfixing tale of grief and violence."[13] The play was nominated for the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama,[14][15] along with nominations for two Lucille Lortel Awards, for Outstanding Play and Brooksher for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play.[16] Schreiber was also nominated for a 2007 Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance.[17][18]

2019 Off-Broadway revival

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The play was next produced Off-Broadway in 2019 at the Tony Kiser Theatre, produced by Second Stage Theatre and starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Colin Woodell. The play was originally announced to be directed by Lila Neugebauer, but was later replaced by playwright Shinn. The production ran from May 14 to June 30, 2019.[19]

The revival received mixed reviews, with The New York Times comparing it unfavorably to the 2008 production, calling it a "dry and sturdy revival."[20] New York Theatre Guide noted Shinn's direction could feel "forced" but that he did an "admirable job of serving up his own words."[21]

Cast and characters

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Accolades

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2007 Off-Broadway production

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References

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  1. ↑ Gardner, Lyn (May 19, 2006). "Dying City". The Guardian. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Dying City". Lincoln Center Theater. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Dying City". Concord Theatricals. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  4. ↑ "2008 Pulitzer Prize Winners and Finalists". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  5. ↑ "August: Osage County Wins Pulitzer Prize for Drama". Playbill. April 7, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Dying City". Concord Theatricals. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  7. ↑ Brantley, Ben (June 3, 2019). "Review: Doubling Up on Toxic Manhood in 'Dying City'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Dying City". Official London Theatre. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  9. ↑ Rooney, David (November 21, 2006). "Dying City". Variety. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  10. ↑ Gardner, Lyn (May 19, 2006). "Dying City". The Guardian. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Dying City". Lincoln Center Theater. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Dying City – Who's Who". Lincoln Center Theater. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  13. ↑ Brantley, Ben (March 5, 2007). "The Walking Wounded, Haunted by Iraq". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  14. ↑ "2008 Pulitzer Prize Winners and Finalists". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  15. ↑ "August: Osage County Wins Pulitzer Prize for Drama". Playbill. April 7, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  16. ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 7, 2007). "Spring Awakening, In the Heights and Stuff Happens Win Lucille Lortel Awards". Playbill. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Drama League Awards 2007 winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  18. ↑ "2007 Drama League Award Winners Announced". TheaterMania. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  19. ↑ Brantley, Ben (June 3, 2019). "Review: Doubling Up on Toxic Manhood in 'Dying City'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  20. ↑ Brantley, Ben (June 3, 2019). "Review: Doubling Up on Toxic Manhood in 'Dying City'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Review of Dying City at Second Stage Theater". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Dying City". Official London Theatre. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Dying City – Who's Who". Lincoln Center Theater. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  24. ↑ Brantley, Ben (June 3, 2019). "Review: Doubling Up on Toxic Manhood in 'Dying City'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  25. ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 7, 2007). "Spring Awakening, In the Heights and Stuff Happens Win Lucille Lortel Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Drama League Awards 2007 winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  27. ↑ "2007 Drama League Award Winners Announced". TheaterMania. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  28. ↑ "2008 Pulitzer Prize Winners and Finalists". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  29. ↑ "August: Osage County Wins Pulitzer Prize for Drama". Playbill. April 7, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
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