Gregory Luce
@dctex.bsky.social
Poet, writer, birdwatcher. He/him.
New today on Washington Unbound, read my review of Folger Theatre’s latest production.
The Folger’s presentation triumphs as a result of the excellent direction of Psalmayene 24 and the uniformly magnificent performances and brilliant staging.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
The Folger’s presentation triumphs as a result of the excellent direction of Psalmayene 24 and the uniformly magnificent performances and brilliant staging.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
“O, what may man within him hide, Though angel on the outward side!” — Washington Unbound
Measure for Measure is counted as one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays,” in part due to its sometimes uneasy veering between comedy and tragedy…. Despite some flaws in Shakespeare’s plot, the cast and...
www.washington-unbound.com
October 1, 2026 at 12:37 PM
New today on Washington Unbound, read my review of Folger Theatre’s latest production.
The Folger’s presentation triumphs as a result of the excellent direction of Psalmayene 24 and the uniformly magnificent performances and brilliant staging.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
The Folger’s presentation triumphs as a result of the excellent direction of Psalmayene 24 and the uniformly magnificent performances and brilliant staging.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Kelly Bradley experienced an unimaginable loss. She chronicles her grief and slow journey to acceptance, with the help of a strong community—in "and then."
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
A moving testament to a parent’s love and the invaluable support of community — Washington Unbound
Grief is one of the great universal subjects of poetry, indeed, of all arts. The loss of a child is obviously one of the most tragic triggers of grief; if one is a parent, it’s almost unimaginable. a...
www.washington-unbound.com
September 29, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Kelly Bradley experienced an unimaginable loss. She chronicles her grief and slow journey to acceptance, with the help of a strong community—in "and then."
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
“When Europe’s greatest composer meets Europe’s most powerful ruler, one expects sparks to fly. And so they do, in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s powerful production of The Score by Oliver Cotton.” Read my review in today’s Washington Unbound.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
When music speaks truth to power — Washington Unbound
When Europe’s greatest composer meets Europe’s most powerful ruler, one expects sparks to fly. And so they do, in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s powerful production of The Score by Oliver Cotton. But...
www.washington-unbound.com
September 22, 2026 at 1:12 PM
“When Europe’s greatest composer meets Europe’s most powerful ruler, one expects sparks to fly. And so they do, in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s powerful production of The Score by Oliver Cotton.” Read my review in today’s Washington Unbound.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Washington Unbound is especially happy today to present a special feature, Contributing Writer Tom Navratil’s review of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" at the Round House Theatre.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
It’s the blues. It’s not supposed to be uplifting. — Washington Unbound
Despite reasonably vigorous efforts to keep up, I had never before experienced the work of towering American playwright August Wilson (two Pulitzers, National Humanities Medal, a Tony Award, among man...
www.washington-unbound.com
September 17, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Washington Unbound is especially happy today to present a special feature, Contributing Writer Tom Navratil’s review of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" at the Round House Theatre.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
New this week on Washington Unbound: We are pleased to present Norah's review of Washington literary icon Susan Coll’s new novel, Word Salad.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
A very Washington comedy of manners, which delights with wacky hijinks and surprising earnestness — Washington Unbound
Set in the same fictional independent D.C. bookstore as Coll’s Bookish People , Word Salad is a completely standalone novel with mostly new characters, including the events manager and protagonist,...
www.washington-unbound.com
September 15, 2026 at 1:17 PM
New this week on Washington Unbound: We are pleased to present Norah's review of Washington literary icon Susan Coll’s new novel, Word Salad.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
We have a new interview up today at Washington Unbound. Inner Loop featured Authors Corner writer Hasan Dudar talks about his writing, both creative and journalistic, and discusses his new book, the excellent linked story collection “Carryout.”
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/h...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/h...
Interweaving stories of community, diaspora, and the unknown — Washington Unbound
Hasan Dudar’s debut book is a collection of linked stories, Carryout (University of Iowa Press, 2026), centered on a community of immigrants, particularly Palestinian and Lebanese refugees, living i...
www.washington-unbound.com
September 8, 2026 at 2:27 PM
We have a new interview up today at Washington Unbound. Inner Loop featured Authors Corner writer Hasan Dudar talks about his writing, both creative and journalistic, and discusses his new book, the excellent linked story collection “Carryout.”
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/h...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/h...
According to Roderick Deacey, “poems are like herons.” Read our latest review at Washington Unbound to learn why…and discover more fine poems about birds of all feathers.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Poems are like herons — Washington Unbound
Roderick Deacey’s debut book is ap tly titled. As the poet says in an introductory note, “Birds flew into these poems, sometimes merely as a mention, sometimes just a feather or two, sometimes sw...
www.washington-unbound.com
September 1, 2026 at 1:55 PM
According to Roderick Deacey, “poems are like herons.” Read our latest review at Washington Unbound to learn why…and discover more fine poems about birds of all feathers.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Read my interview with Amy Schmidt who was present at the creation of D.C.'s "theater alley" and has now written a fantastic book about it, “Making the Scene,” today on Washington Unbound.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/r...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/r...
Remembering a remarkable chapter in D.C. theater history — Washington Unbound
An interview with Amy Schmidt, author of Making the Scene: Theater on 14th Street in the 1980s
by Gregory Luce
Anyone who lived in the Washington, D.C. area in the 1980s will remember the s...
www.washington-unbound.com
August 25, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Read my interview with Amy Schmidt who was present at the creation of D.C.'s "theater alley" and has now written a fantastic book about it, “Making the Scene,” today on Washington Unbound.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/r...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/r...
New on the 'Stack, helping a fellow disabled poet.
dctexpoet.substack.com/p/helping-a-...
dctexpoet.substack.com/p/helping-a-...
Helping a Fellow Poet
Announcing a new book by a fine disabled poet
dctexpoet.substack.com
August 25, 2026 at 1:10 AM
New on the 'Stack, helping a fellow disabled poet.
dctexpoet.substack.com/p/helping-a-...
dctexpoet.substack.com/p/helping-a-...
Fresh content today on Washington Unbound, our interview with novelist and children’s author Diana Rojas. Her new novel, “They Hold Grudges,” is “a taut and compelling story of family, loyalty, and betrayal.,” says interviewer Tamar Shapiro.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/e...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/e...
Exploring family, darkness, and betrayal — Washington Unbound
An interview with Diana Rojas whose novel They Hold Grudges is a taut and compelling story of family, loyalty, and betrayal. Rojas introduces us to the joys of a large, tight-knit family—gatherin...
www.washington-unbound.com
August 18, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Fresh content today on Washington Unbound, our interview with novelist and children’s author Diana Rojas. Her new novel, “They Hold Grudges,” is “a taut and compelling story of family, loyalty, and betrayal.,” says interviewer Tamar Shapiro.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/e...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/e...
Washington Unbound is thrilled today to present our interview with fiction writer Stephanie Dupal. This piece is the first of four collaborations with The Inner Loop showcasing their Author’s Corner writers.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/s...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/s...
Crafting fiction — Washington Unbound
An interview with Stephanie Dupal, whose debut collection of short stories is The Kindness of Terrible People. Born in a small town in Quebec, Canada, Stephanie made her roundabout way to Woodbridge...
www.washington-unbound.com
August 11, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Washington Unbound is thrilled today to present our interview with fiction writer Stephanie Dupal. This piece is the first of four collaborations with The Inner Loop showcasing their Author’s Corner writers.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/s...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/s...
We have a fresh new review today at Washington Unbound. Our always excellent Contributing Writer Serena Agusto-Cox writes about Christopher Kondrich’s new collection, Tread Upon.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/learning-where-we-tread
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/learning-where-we-tread
August 4, 2026 at 1:38 PM
We have a fresh new review today at Washington Unbound. Our always excellent Contributing Writer Serena Agusto-Cox writes about Christopher Kondrich’s new collection, Tread Upon.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/learning-where-we-tread
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/learning-where-we-tread
Washington Unbound is very excited today to present our interview with literary entrepreneur Sean Murphy, founder and director of 1455 Literary Arts. His mission aligns with ours perfectly.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/d...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/d...
Discovering and celebrating writers — Washington Unbound
I'm a big fan of how technology, despite AI, despite a myriad of things we need to be very vigilant about and cognizant of, the landscape is radically different than it was when you and I were younger...
www.washington-unbound.com
July 28, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Washington Unbound is very excited today to present our interview with literary entrepreneur Sean Murphy, founder and director of 1455 Literary Arts. His mission aligns with ours perfectly.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/d...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/d...
New today on Washington Unbound, read Norah excellent review of Anne Tyler’s latest novel, Three Days in June. Norah calls it “love letter to introverts, and to anyone who’s ever felt out of place at a party, a business meeting, or the hairdresser.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
A deep exploration of the ordinary — Washington Unbound
Three Days in June (Knopf, 2025) is a love letter to introverts, and to anyone who’s ever felt out of place at a party, a business meeting, or the hairdresser. In her twenty-fifth novel, Anne Tyler r...
www.washington-unbound.com
July 21, 2026 at 1:22 PM
New today on Washington Unbound, read Norah excellent review of Anne Tyler’s latest novel, Three Days in June. Norah calls it “love letter to introverts, and to anyone who’s ever felt out of place at a party, a business meeting, or the hairdresser.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Today, Washington Unbound is very pleased to share our interview with fine writer and exemplary literary citizen Lauren Woods. "It’s fun to be part of a vibrant ecosystem of writers and people who love writing.”
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/t...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/t...
The very model of a modern literary citizen — Washington Unbound
Lauren D. Woods is the author of The Great Grown-Up Game of Make-Believe , the person behind the book vending machine LitBox, and the co-runner of the 804 Lit Salon. She was kind enough to chat with ...
www.washington-unbound.com
July 14, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Today, Washington Unbound is very pleased to share our interview with fine writer and exemplary literary citizen Lauren Woods. "It’s fun to be part of a vibrant ecosystem of writers and people who love writing.”
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/t...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/t...
ICYMI here's the video of last night's Cafe Muse reading I did with @burgi.bsky.social.
youtu.be/zCRg8xU1EPA?...
youtu.be/zCRg8xU1EPA?...
Café Muse Presents Gregory Luce & Burgi Zenhaeusern
YouTube video by Word Works Cafe Muse
youtu.be
July 7, 2026 at 2:22 PM
ICYMI here's the video of last night's Cafe Muse reading I did with @burgi.bsky.social.
youtu.be/zCRg8xU1EPA?...
youtu.be/zCRg8xU1EPA?...
We are very happy to present a fresh offering today. Frequent contributor Serena Agusto-Cox has written another excellent review of Claudia Gary’s fine new collection.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Even broken angels heal — Washington Unbound
In this collection, Gary uses formal poetry and vivid artistic imagery to transform fragmented memory into a coherent story of survival and healing. These forms provide a structure to memories that of...
www.washington-unbound.com
July 7, 2026 at 2:04 PM
We are very happy to present a fresh offering today. Frequent contributor Serena Agusto-Cox has written another excellent review of Claudia Gary’s fine new collection.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Reposted by Gregory Luce
Couldn't come nor zoom in last night? Here's the recording (I read 2nd). @majda.bsky.social gave me the most beautiful intro (still drunk from it)! 🙏💙💙💙
It was such a pleasure to read with @dctex.bsky.social!
Thank you, Café Muse!!
youtu.be/zCRg8xU1EPA?...
It was such a pleasure to read with @dctex.bsky.social!
Thank you, Café Muse!!
youtu.be/zCRg8xU1EPA?...
Café Muse Presents Gregory Luce & Burgi Zenhaeusern
YouTube video by Word Works Cafe Muse
youtu.be
July 7, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Couldn't come nor zoom in last night? Here's the recording (I read 2nd). @majda.bsky.social gave me the most beautiful intro (still drunk from it)! 🙏💙💙💙
It was such a pleasure to read with @dctex.bsky.social!
Thank you, Café Muse!!
youtu.be/zCRg8xU1EPA?...
It was such a pleasure to read with @dctex.bsky.social!
Thank you, Café Muse!!
youtu.be/zCRg8xU1EPA?...
We have a very special offering today on Washington Unbound. We interviewed the amazing Hannah Harlee about the equally amazing publication ARTWIFE.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/c...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/c...
Creating art, conversations, and community — Washington Unbound
ARTWIFE Magazine is a D.C. based literary journal founded by Hannah and Erica Harlee in 2022 accepting fiction, nonfiction, visual art, and video art. But it’s so much more than a journal. Hannah Harl...
www.washington-unbound.com
June 30, 2026 at 2:34 PM
We have a very special offering today on Washington Unbound. We interviewed the amazing Hannah Harlee about the equally amazing publication ARTWIFE.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/c...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/c...
Today, Washington Unbound is especially pleased to share our review of Elizabeth Hazen’s remarkable new collection, The Sky Will Hold.
“This book is one of the finest collections of poetry to cross my desk this year.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
“This book is one of the finest collections of poetry to cross my desk this year.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
A review of Elizabeth Hazen's poetry collection 'The Sky Will Hold' — Washington Unbound
The Sky will Hold is a book of survival, of second chances, of recovery and new beginnings. In this, her third full-length collection, Elizabeth Hazen explores loss and renewal, addiction and sobriety...
www.washington-unbound.com
June 23, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Today, Washington Unbound is especially pleased to share our review of Elizabeth Hazen’s remarkable new collection, The Sky Will Hold.
“This book is one of the finest collections of poetry to cross my desk this year.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
“This book is one of the finest collections of poetry to cross my desk this year.”
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
We have a special feature today on Washington Unbound. Read my review of “How Shakespeare Saved My Life” at the Folger Theater.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Rescuing the Bard — Washington Unbound
In the Folger Theatre’s world premiere of How Shakespeare Saved My Life, prolific stage and television actor Jacob-Ming-Trent not only delivers a powerful performance, but carries out a critically v...
www.washington-unbound.com
June 18, 2026 at 1:24 PM
We have a special feature today on Washington Unbound. Read my review of “How Shakespeare Saved My Life” at the Folger Theater.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Today, celebrate Pride Month with Washington Unbound and our Pride Booklist. Our selection includes poetry, fiction, non-fiction and biography, demonstrating the range and variety of interests of Queer writers.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Our 2026 Pride Booklist — Washington Unbound
Happy Pride to all our LGBTQ+ readers and allies! Once again, Washington Unbound is very happy to present our Pride booklist. This year’s compilation includes works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, an...
www.washington-unbound.com
June 16, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Today, celebrate Pride Month with Washington Unbound and our Pride Booklist. Our selection includes poetry, fiction, non-fiction and biography, demonstrating the range and variety of interests of Queer writers.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
New today on Washington Unbound, another excellent theater review by Contributing Writer Tom Navratil of Round House Theatre’s production of Sally & Tom.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Looking back, and looking around now — Washington Unbound
As the 250 th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence nears, what better time for an exploration of its principal author’s moral core, as disclosed by his private life? Sally & Tom shine...
www.washington-unbound.com
June 9, 2026 at 1:18 PM
New today on Washington Unbound, another excellent theater review by Contributing Writer Tom Navratil of Round House Theatre’s production of Sally & Tom.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
New this week, my review of Othello at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
“The Shakespeare Theatre’s current production presents us with a very different Othello than we might expect."
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
“The Shakespeare Theatre’s current production presents us with a very different Othello than we might expect."
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
“O beware my lord of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster” — Washington Unbound
The Shakespeare Theatre’s current production presents us with a very different Othello than we might expect. The set is simple—no ducal palace or vast battlefield—and intimate, all the better to all...
www.washington-unbound.com
June 2, 2026 at 7:01 PM
New this week, my review of Othello at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
“The Shakespeare Theatre’s current production presents us with a very different Othello than we might expect."
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
“The Shakespeare Theatre’s current production presents us with a very different Othello than we might expect."
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Washington Unbound is especially pleased today to present our review of The Other Beautiful People by Caroline Bock. @norahvawter.bsky.social calls it "rich, layered, intellectually complex, and, yes, beautiful."
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
Calling all classic film lovers — Washington Unbound
Caroline Bock’s first novel for adults, The Other Beautiful People (Regal House 2026), is rich, layered, intellectually complex, and, yes, beautiful. Equal parts domestic fiction and workplace d...
www.washington-unbound.com
May 26, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Washington Unbound is especially pleased today to present our review of The Other Beautiful People by Caroline Bock. @norahvawter.bsky.social calls it "rich, layered, intellectually complex, and, yes, beautiful."
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...