Photos by Michael Brosilow
Sometimes, you walk into a theater knowing a little about the subject, only to leave with a greater understanding of the person behind the story. That was my experience watching Frida… A Self Portrait at the Klein Theatre recently. I knew of Frida Kahlo as the celebrated Mexican artist whose self-portraits reflected her life and struggles, but I was curious to learn more about the woman behind those paintings. Thanks to Vanessa Severo’s engaging performance, I walked away with a deeper appreciation for Kahlo’s life, her art, and the challenges she faced.
What makes this production particularly interesting is Severo’s ability to portray numerous characters throughout the performance. She doesn’t simply play Frida Kahlo or share her own connection to the artist. Instead, she takes on the personalities of individuals who played important roles in Kahlo’s life. Through changes in her voice, mannerisms, and physical movements, Severo makes each character recognizable while maintaining the flow of the story. It’s an impressive display of versatility, especially considering that she carries the entire production herself.
One of the most interesting aspects of the production is the stage design. Instead of elaborate scenery, the set features clotheslines filled with garments representing the people who were part of Kahlo’s life and experiences. Throughout the show, Severo slips in and out of these clothes as she takes on the characters, they represent and revisits significant moments in Frida’s life. What initially appears to be a simple collection of clothing becomes an effective storytelling device, allowing the audience to follow the changes in characters and situations without interrupting the performance. I particularly enjoyed how each garment helped establish a new personality or relationship, almost as though Frida was sorting through the memories and people who shaped her life.
And there are some genuinely funny moments along the way. One of my favorites was the exchange between Frida and fellow artist Diego Rivera, whose complicated relationship with Kahlo plays an important role in the story. Severo brings humor to their interaction through her delivery, expressions, and timing. Watching her portray both sides of the exchange was particularly entertaining, providing a welcome contrast to the more serious moments. It also demonstrated how effectively she could create the impression of multiple people sharing the stage when she was performing alone.
While the humor is enjoyable, the writing doesn’t shy away from the more difficult aspects of Kahlo’s life. In fact, one of the production’s strengths is its brutally honest approach to Frida’s physical and emotional struggles. Severo makes a convincing case that understanding these experiences is essential to understanding Kahlo as both a person and an artist. Her pain, complicated relationships, and determination to continue creating despite her circumstances are central to the story.
What stayed with me was how the production connects those struggles to Kahlo’s artwork. Her paintings were not simply artistic expressions but also reflections of what she experienced throughout her life. Severo handles these moments with sensitivity, allowing the audience to recognize the emotional weight of Frida’s experiences without making the performance feel overly sentimental. The shifts between humor and sadness help make Kahlo’s story feel more human and relatable.
Behind the production is director Joanie Schultz, whose longstanding relationship with Severo adds another dimension to the creative process. Schultz has known Severo for more than 15 years and has seen the vision for Frida… A Self Portrait develops from an initial idea into a fully realized theatrical production. That familiarity with both the performer and the material makes Schultz particularly well suited to guide the show.
Schultz’s direction emphasizes the strengths of the writing and Severo’s performance without overwhelming either. The use of the clotheslines, the transitions between characters, and the pacing of the emotional moments all contribute to the storytelling. She allows the humor to develop naturally while giving the more serious scenes enough time to resonate with the audience. Having followed the project’s development over the years, Schultz understands the vision behind it and helps translate that vision into a cohesive theatrical experience.
Another strength of Frida… A Self Portrait is that it doesn’t feel like a traditional history lesson. Instead, the audience gets to know Kahlo through her relationships, personal experiences, and the emotions that influenced her work. I appreciated that Severo doesn’t present Kahlo as someone defined entirely by suffering. Although her physical pain and emotional hardships are significant parts of the story, we also see her humor, personality, independence, and determination. These different sides of Kahlo help create a more complete portrait of the woman whose artwork continues to interest audiences today.
By the end of the performance, I found myself thinking not only about Frida Kahlo but also about the work involved in bringing her story to the stage. Performing multiple characters, managing the wardrobe changes, and maintaining the audience’s attention throughout a one-woman show requires considerable skill. Severo handles these responsibilities with confidence, while Schultz’s direction provides the structure needed to make the production work.
Frida… A Self Portrait is a thoughtful, entertaining, and emotionally engaging production that offers audiences a closer look at the life of Frida Kahlo. Vanessa Severo is a tour de force, bringing humor, vulnerability, and depth to a demanding one-woman performance. From the hilarious exchanges between Frida and Diego Rivera to the honest exploration of Kahlo’s struggles, the production balances entertainment with meaningful storytelling. Joanie Schultz’s direction and the imaginative use of costumes and scenery complement Severo’s performance beautifully.
If you’re interested in learning more about Frida Kahlo or simply appreciate watching a talented performer, take on the challenge of a one-woman show, Frida… A Self Portrait at the Klein Theatre is well worth seeing. It’s an engaging look at the woman behind the paintings and a reminder of how effectively live theater can bring an artist’s story to life.
A memorable evening at the theatre and a show I highly recommend!
FINAL GRADE: A++
Frida… A Self Portrait is now playing at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre in Washington DC until November 8th. Tickets are available through ShakespeareTheatre.org
Runtime: Approximately one hour and 15 minutes, with no intermission.
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