Irene Lewis at Arena Stage

Former CenterStage Artistic Director Irene Lewis hasn't wasted any time making an impression outside Baltimore. Her production of Alice Childress' Trouble In Mind, which was done at CenterStage four years ago, just opened Arena Stage's 2011-2012 season and drew raves in yesterday's Washington Post. The Post's Peter Marks called it a "wondrously effective production" that is "wry, character-rich, and well-acted." He also singled out the performances of CenterStage regulars E. Faye Butler and Laurence O'Dwyer (see photo), who he called "that compact pillar of excellence."

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith says, "It's been a particular pleasure to show Irene off to D.C. audiences who may not have seen her amazing body of work at CenterStage. It was a joy to welcome her to the Mead Center and experience her moving production of Trouble in Mind come to life.

"Trouble in Mind has been in my consciousness for several years, but I was waiting for the right time to bring it to Arena’s audiences. I saw Irene’s remarkable production at Center Stage and knew this was the director and production that could excite our audiences."

Trouble in Mind continues at Arena Stage through October 23.