Dying City

Dying City is a dramatic stage play by American playwright Christopher Shinn, which premiered in 2006 Off-West End at Royal Court Theatre, and later Off-Broadway in 2007 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. The play was a finalist for the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Plot

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.

Production history

2006 Off-West End production

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.

The production received positive reviews. Variety praised the show, calling it Shinn's "best writing" and lauding the characters as "marvelously articulate." The Telegraph wrote that it was a "clever, intricately calculated and quietly moving new play."

2007 Off-Broadway production

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. Directed by James Macdonald, the production starred Rebecca Brooksher as Kelly and Pablo Schreiber as Peter/Craig.

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." The play was nominated for the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, along with nominations for two Lucille Lortel Awards, for Outstanding Play and Brooksher for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play. Schreiber was also nominated for a 2007 Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance.

2019 Off-Broadway revival

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.

The revival received mixed reviews, with The New York Times comparing it unfavorably to the 2007 production, calling it a "dry and sturdy revival." The Wall Street Journal wrote that the play was "a hurt-filled masterpiece."

Cast and characters

Accolades

2007 Off-Broadway production