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The City of Conversation, Starring Margaret Colin, Opens at Arena Stage

Doug Hughes, who directed the play’s off-Broadway premiere at Lincoln Center, helms the production.

Bethany Rickwald

Washington, DC

February 8, 2016

Anthony Giardina's The City of Conversation celebrated the opening of its Washington, D.C. premiere last week at Arena Stage. The production is directed by Doug Hughes, who also helmed the play's off-Broadway premiere at Lincoln Center in 2014, and stars Margaret Colin, known for playing Eleanor Waldorf on Gossip Girl.

Cast members Caroline Hewitt (Anna Fitzgerald) and Michael Simpson (Colin/Ethan Ferris) at the opening of The City of Conversation at Arena Stage. — Cast members Caroline Hewitt (Anna Fitzgerald) and Michael Simpson (Colin/Ethan Ferris) at the opening of *The City of Conversation* at Arena Stage.
(© Cameron Whitman)

The show's cast also features Michael Simpson (reprising his roles as Colin Ferris and Ethan Ferris, which he originated in the New York premiere), Caroline Hewitt as Anna Fitzgerald, Ann McDonough as Jean Swift, and Tom Wiggin as Chandler Harris. The cast also includes Freddie Bennett as Donald Logan, Todd Scofield as George Mallonee, Jjana Valentiner as Carolyn Mallonee, and 9-year-old Tyler Smallwood as Young Ethan Ferris, with Caedan White as understudy for Young Ethan.

Cast members Freddie Bennett (Donald Logan) and Tom Wiggin (Chandler Harris) celebrate opening night of The City of Conversation. — Cast members Freddie Bennett (Donald Logan) and Tom Wiggin (Chandler Harris) celebrate opening night of *The City of Conversation*.
(© Cameron Whitman)

The Arena Stage production reunites the original off-Broadway creative team, including set designer John Lee Beatty, costume designer Catherine Zuber, lighting designer Tyler Micoleau, and original music and sound designer Mark Bennett.