Bedwetter Broadway Transfer?

[mitchern]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 9:53am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-Critics-Sound-Off-on-THE-BEDWETTER-at-Arena-Stage-20250226

These reviews seem like they've improved on the show, and the cast sounds stellar. Do I have to go to DC, or do we think this is coming back to NYC? 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 9:56am

I ADORED this show off-broadway but even as an advocate for the show it feels very small for Broadway. Even Kimberley Akimbo or Fun Home seem grander and more sweeping than the tiny, very precise The Bedwetter. Tho... if The Band's Visit can make the jump I wouldn't count The Bedwetter out.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 9:56am

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/thread/The-Bedwetter-at-Arena-Stage

When I asked last week, it seemed to be the consensus that the producers want to transfer it.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 10:03am

There is absolutely a place for this show on Broadway. Tinier shows have transferred before and will continue to do so in the future.

[DaveyG]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 10:12am

I’m rooting for them, and I think if they address the issues, it could do well on Broadway. I didn’t care for it at the Atlantic, especially the score, but I’m glad they’re taking the time to refine it—there’s a good show in there somewhere.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 10:17am

I certainly hope not. This show has nothing new. The messages it sends out are something I’ve heard / seen millions of times.

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 10:19am

KJisgroovy said: "I ADORED this show off-broadway but even as an advocate for the show it feels very small for Broadway. Even Kimberley Akimbo or Fun Home seemgrander and more sweeping than the tiny, very precise The Bedwetter. Tho... if The Band's Visit can make the jump I wouldn't count The Bedwetter out."

I felt the same. Loved it off-Broadway and still loved it at Arena. But I didn't see it as a Broadway show, but who knows? I said the same about The Band's Visit, Kimberly Akimbo and Dead Outlaw, which I also loved.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 12:16pm

The major reviews for the Arena Stage production that I've seen (Washington Post and TheaterMania) certainly skew positive. It sounds like a positive development to trim the show to 100 minutes, no intermission. The Atlantic production definitely felt overlong and not ready for Broadway. Unfortunately with few exceptions, there doesn't seem to be any market left for commercial Off-Broadway, so Broadway becomes the end goal for everything. We'll see how this turns out.

[SeanD2]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 1:28pm

spicemonkey said: "I certainly hope not. This show has nothing new. The messages it sends out are something I’ve heard / seen millions of times."

Really? What are the other musicals that attempt to reduce the stigma of bedwetting? As someone who struggled with that throughout childhood and adolescence this show was one of the first times I heard it being talked about in a way that gave comfort and identification. This is as revolutionary and necessary for kids who suffer from bed wetting as shows that provide identification for LGBTQIA+ youth. 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 2:14pm

SeanD2 said: "Really? What are the other musicals that attempt to reduce the stigma of bedwetting? As someone who struggled with that throughout childhood and adolescence this show was one of the first times I heard it being talked about in a way that gave comfort and identification. This is as revolutionary and necessary for kids who suffer from bed wetting as shows that provide identification for LGBTQIA+ youth."

I mean... I see what you're saying - kids need to feel seen and represented - I don't disagree with that. But comparing being a bedwetter to being LGBTQIA+ is insane.

 

Editing to add some thoughts here, because that's a really a truly unhinged thing to say and I can't believe that I actually just read that. When have bedwetters ever had to fight for their basic right to exist in society? When they have they spent entire lifetimes having to hide who they are for fear of their personal safety? What countries have laws banning bedwetting? When have people been chased, beaten, and killed for being bedwetters? When have there been politicians who spend their careers working to erase bedwetters? 

Being a bedwetter is something that you grow out of. Yeah, it's embarrassing as a kid, but here's the thing - bedwetters are not, have not been, and will never be persecuted on any type of large scale. LGBTQIA+ kids (and adults) have been, currently are, and sickeningly, will continue to be. 

What a really, actually insane comment.

Updated On: 2/26/25 at 02:14 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 3:56pm

Speaking as someone who wet the bed a lot as a kid, comparing being a bedwetter to being queer or trans is truly nutso. The show is also not written for or marketed toward a young audience - it feels very strongly a show for adults. 

Updated On: 2/26/25 at 03:56 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 4:18pm

SeanD2, I totally get/understand your comment about kids and agree. 

I loved this show at the Atlantic. I remember thinking as I left the theater that it needed a bit of work and that I hoped it stayed in a more intimate off-Broadway house. 

Updated On: 2/26/25 at 04:18 PM