LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #2
Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:41am
The next production on Broadway that will make use of Yondr pouches, I expect.
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #3
Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:42am
Fabulous news. I adored this play at the Pels. One of the best new plays in recent memory. Will be glad to have another chance to see it.
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #4
Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:43am
I hope the entire cast transfers with it, each and every one of them are perfection in this beautiful play
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #5
Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:45am
Making it a 14 week run is probably a great idea, although considering the flop-house record of this theatre, I’m concerned that there is going to be no way they will fill those seats.
I’m going to gamble and guess that they will close the balcony and make it available to their subscribers as part of their package.
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #6
Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:46am
Crusty Bagel said: "I hope the entire cast transfers with it, each and every one of them are perfection in this beautiful play"
They were all wonderful.
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #7
Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:49am
The fact that the announcement doesn’t indicate a transfer of the full cast makes me think they are trying to get a name or two.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/3/18
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #8
Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:57am
Great news
I missed it off broadway even though I had tickets twice 🥲
Leading Actor Joined: 9/25/24
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #9
Posted: 7/31/25 at 10:01am
Truthfully I did not see this coming, but I'm glad it will be transferring even if it's only 14-weeks.
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #10
Posted: 7/31/25 at 10:05am
Honestly, it was papered i think twice, and I managed to snag a ticket. I feel like it’s so hard to run in the fall. The hills of California was also papering toward the end of its run, even though I paid 35 bucks with the under 35 scheme. I went upstairs to the mezzanine during intermission and there were maybe ten people up there. John krasinski was at this performance with Emily Blunt. He was wearing sweat pants, despicable. Thanksgiving weekend and Memorial Day weekend is prime papering time.
Liberation is coming in with good word of mouth, I hope it can do what Stereophonic was able to do.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/26/03
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #11
Posted: 7/31/25 at 10:05am
The best news. I also hope they bring the full cast. I get why they might want to get a name but the cast was part of what made this so special.
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #12
Posted: 7/31/25 at 2:11pm
I would like to live in a world where this play could be success on Broadway without needing the marketing pitch "see celebrity x naked". I don't think I am.
The original cast did a great job, but if they're able to get a name, it's probably a good idea. Let's explore second wave feminism and the compromises our mothers made isn't the most commercial concept.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/13
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #13
Posted: 7/31/25 at 2:36pm
Nevermind, I've had lunch now & am not so hangry
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #14
Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:08pm
Liberation is one of the best plays I’ve seen in a long time and deserves to be on Broadway, but let’s not pretend it is remotely commercial.
Stereophonic is a populist, largely apolitical play that resembles a biopic and could be marketed like a musical, and there were 8 months between its Off-Bway opening and the Tonys so it could ride a steady wave and build buzz. Liberation has tricky subject matter surrounding gender and the role it has played in society over the past 50+ years, and it’s opening in the fall. If John Proctor is having a hard enough time breaking even each week, Liberation basically has no chance.
Also, that ensemble cast was so strong at Roundabout I fear it would be thrown off by inserting a star or two. I don’t think I’d want to see this with Julianne Moore and Rachel Brosnahan, for example.
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #15
Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:23pm
GREAT NEWS. Magnificent play
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/30/17
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #16
Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:34pm
EXCELLENT news. We saw it twice at the Pels.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/06
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #17
Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:56pm
”The hills of California was also papering toward the end of its run, even though I paid 35 bucks with the under 35 scheme. I went upstairs to the mezzanine during intermission and there were maybe ten people up there. John krasinski was at this performance with Emily Blunt. He was wearing sweat pants, despicable“
I love when posters go absolutely bonkers.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #18
Posted: 7/31/25 at 8:22pm
Not sure why this is being rushed in. 9 weeks before first preview with no names attached, this has all the makings of a bust on it
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #19
Posted: 7/31/25 at 8:24pm
It’s an excellent play, word of mouth is gonna sell the tickets
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #20
Posted: 7/31/25 at 8:30pm
9 weeks is not enough of a runway.
Stereophonic had 8 months.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/18/13
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #21
Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:23pm
Simply could not stand this play.
But I sincerely hope Betsy is with the transfer. Really great work on her end.
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #22
Posted: 8/1/25 at 1:32am
Can’t wait to hear Betsy share her “list” again.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/26/03
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #23
Posted: 8/1/25 at 2:25am
BoringBoredBoard40 said: "9 weeks is not enough of a runway.
Stereophonic had 8 months."
Isn’t its run this spring the runway? One could argue it’s more likely it would lose any steam by spring and get lost in what is usually a busier part of the season.
I do think this show could be a hit—but it would need more than 14 weeks. I think shows like Maybe Happy Ending and John Proctor have shown how great word of mouth can give a show life—as long as it can stay open for a couple of months while potentially losing money while it builds up a word of mouth that is strong enough and widespread enough to sustain an audience for months later.
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #24
Posted: 8/2/25 at 9:25am
Crusty Bagel said: "It’s an excellent play, word of mouth is gonna sell the tickets"
The sad truth is that these days, word of mouth, even when paired with stellar reviews, is not enough to buoy a show with very niche appeal. As much as I also tire of the the “movie stars slumming on Broadway” trend lately, I feel like this would need at least someone with name recognition who could go out and press tour the hell out of the show.
Even I, the seasoned theatregoer who sees EVERYTHING and then some, feel like I might have a hard time trying to sell this play to people I know who visit the city based on premise.
Playbill Sale!: https://www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm
Broadway Star Joined: 11/1/23
LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October #25
Posted: 8/2/25 at 9:47am
Falsettolands said: "Simply could not stand this play.
But I sincerely hope Betsy is with the transfer. Really great work on her end."
I’m in this camp. It felt critically overhyped and when I saw it I witnessed audience members falling asleep. Every exciting Off Broadway “hit” doesn’t have to transfer to Broadway. Dead Outlaw is an example of a beloved Off-Bway success turned Bway flop. I wish it well, but this doesn’t feel financially smart.
Videos
