Marian Licha | News & Reviews
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News & Reviews

DC Theatre Reviews

November 12, 2006

“There’s something to be said about ‘the nation’s oldest continuing women’s theater’ that’s a lot of keeping power. Horizons Theatre celebrates its thirtieth season with ‘Still Going Solo,’ a collage of solo pieces reflecting the company’s distinctive mission, talent and innovative perspective… ‘Frida Vice-Versa’ co-written by Marian Licha and R. Dennis Green.”

Debbie Minter Jackson

Horizons Going Strong at 30

New York DAILY NEWS

Art Section, March 7, 2005

“…Frida Kahlo teaches a painting class. If there’s anything tying together the work in the fourth annual ‘Songs From Coconut Hill Latino Playwrights Festival’, it’s definitely not the subject matter…the two-week run at the lower East Side’s Teatro La Tea demonstrates the breadth of the Latino experience…Marian Licha’s script, ‘Frida Vice-Versa,’ co-authored with R. Dennis Green…The Washington, D.C., scribe is thrilled to have her one-woman show about Frida Kahlo produced in the country’s capital of theater.”

Breanne L. Heldman,

Fidel in NYC? A Latin Uni-vision

Frida Vice-Versa

Testimonials

“Marian Licha portrays the true essence of each character in Frida Vice-Versa. Her performance is stunning and cleverly approached.”

Veronica Caicedo

Caicedo Productions, New York City

“Our audiences loved Frida Vice-Versa. Marian Licha is an excellent actress and her portrayal of Frida Kahlo was vivid and exciting. The show was wonderfully entertaining and a great introduction to a wonderful woman artist.”

Karen Berman

Co-Artistic Director, Washington Women in Theatre

“Marian Licha’s warmth and vivacity on stage make her a joy to watch.”

Larry Rosen

Artistic New Directions

The Washington Post

Theater & Dance, February 26, 2020

Marian Licha as Celia Sánchez.

Tony Powell/Arena Stage

 

Arts Section, July 16, 2006

“On the basis of their titles, some productions arrive with a high curiosity…‘Frida Vice-Versa’.”

Peter Marks

Fringe Benefits at Theatre’s Edge

Style Section, August 1, 2006

“…solidly mounted ‘Frida Vice-Versa’ at the Touchstone Gallery was packed.”

Peter Marks

First Capital Fringe Festival: A Refreshing Summer Cocktail

Theatre Section, November 11, 2006

“The ‘Still Going Solo’ lineup features ‘Frida Vice-Versa,’ Marian Licha and R. Dennis Green’s portrayal of Frida Kahlo.”

Celia Wren

Two Singular Sensations: Versatile Actresses Shine in Horizons Theatre Series of One-Woman Plays

The Baltimore Sun

A&E Today, July 16, 2006

“Licha immerses herself so completely in whatever role she happens to be playing at any given moment, she is so passionate and focused and intense, her right hand seems capable of debating with her left. And for the past three years, her obsession has been a solo show about the great Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.
The Puerto Rico-born Licha has long, slender bones and is taller that the diminutive Kahlo. Nor does the elegant actress have the famously thick eyebrows that formed nearly a straight black line across Kahlo’s forehead.
But when Licha’s chin tilts regally and her eyes flash, you instinctively inhale and push yourself back in your chair, as if to occupy as little space as possible. It’s the effect that Kahlo herself must have had on the students at La Esmerelda School of Art in Mexico City, where Kahlo taught for a time and where the show is set.
Early in Frida Vice-Versa, Kahlo pronounces grandly in her salsaflavored accent: ‘I can’t teach art. I can only teach life’. And you believe her.”

Mary Carole McCauley

Playwright/actress embodies the artist Frida Kahlo

Washington Blade

Out in DC, July 12, 2006

“Shows at the Fringe can include more traditional fare but still not something you’d see at the Shakespeare Theater. One of those offerings is ‘Frida Vice-Versa’.”

Greg Marzullo

D.C.’s Fringe Benefits

Theatre Section, December 1, 2006

“ ‘Still Going Solo’s’ other performances… ‘Frida Vice-Versa,’ a master class in painting from legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.”

Patrick Folliard

REVIEWS for "Destiny of Desire."

The New York Times

October 7, 2015

“…heartily embraced by the excellent cast.”

Charles Isherwood

Broadway World.com

September 28, 2015

This is an incredibly solid cast. As mentioned before, they remain supportive throughout the show, and interact with one another with polished ease. Most of all, they look like they are having a tremendously good time.They dance in between scenes, cheer when someone sings a particularly powerful note. What’s not to love about a cast whose energy is as electric and carefree as this one?

Heather Nadolny

As Nun in Destiny Of Desire

REVIEWS for "Anna in the Tropics."

The Washington Times

Arts Section, October 11, 2004

“Marian Licha proves to be an older woman of both dignity and abandon as Ofelia.”

Potomac Stages Review

October 7, 2004

“Marian Licha is marvelous in the role finding its moments of humor and capturing its undercurrent of concern.”

Talkin' Broadway Regional News & Reviews

October 10, 2004

“Marian Licha as Ofelia displays a great depth in a character that is one part matriarch and one part temptress.”

Tracy Lyon

Washington City Paper

October 2, 2015

The most memorable performances, though, are by …. and Marian Licha as Sister Sonia, the nun who will stop at nothing to set things right. Licha brings the calm, unsettling confidence of a woman hell bent on revenge, which is a thrill to watch.

Jonelle Walker

Metro Weekly

October 1, 2015

Another standout is Marian Licha, who gives her pious Sister Sonia, Fabiola’s moral counterpoint, a scene-stealing gravitas and displays a talent for making her one-liners zing. But Licha is also nuanced. Her Sonia serves not just as witness to the chaos of human frailty, but also a deadpan foil for much of its humor.

Kate Wingfield

DC Theatre Scene

September 29, 2015

Marian Licha is likewise terrific in the somewhat complicated role of Sister Sonia, who abets the switch of babies at the beginning but then becomes the moral voice of the play. This actress and her character crack open the mold of stereotype. From the first moment of the play when she is playing the actress in the studio who has to “hand over” her costume to the reigning diva spitting darts of fire her way (Fernandez-Coffey,) she complies but with such smoldering strength that she plants the seeds that this is a woman to be reckoned with at a later date. Whether she’s on a mic or presiding at a wedding, this “nun” is someone who always makes sense of every action.

Susan Galbraith

MD Theatre Guide

September 26, 2015

Licha held stage moments wonderfully.

Brian Bochicchio

Facts about Frida Kahlo

Kahlo’s obsession with mortality is not a mystery, as illness, severe pain and the threat of death repeatedly imposed themselves on her young life.