LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:40am

Previews begin 10/8 ahead of a 10/28 opening. Whitney White returning as director, cast tba

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:41am

The next production on Broadway that will make use of Yondr pouches, I expect.

[Sauja]

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.

[Crusty Bagel]

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

[quizking101]

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.

[TotallyEffed]

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.

[Kad]

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. 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:57am

Great news 

 

I missed it off broadway even though I had tickets twice 🥲

[witchoftheeast2]

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. 

[Crusty Bagel]

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. 

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 10:05 AM

[BroadwayGirl107]

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. 

[Jonathan Cohen]

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.

[inception]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 2:36pm

Nevermind, I've had lunch now & am not so hangry
 

 

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 02:36 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

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.

[KrupYou]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:23pm

GREAT NEWS. Magnificent play

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:34pm

EXCELLENT news.  We saw it twice at the Pels. 

[smidge]

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.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

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

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 8:24pm

It’s an excellent play, word of mouth is gonna sell the tickets 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 8:30pm

9 weeks is not enough of a runway. 

Stereophonic had 8 months. 

[Falsettolands]

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.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 8/1/25 at 1:32am

Can’t wait to hear Betsy share her “list” again. 

[BroadwayGirl107]

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. 

[quizking101]

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

Updated On: 8/2/25 at 09:25 AM

[Ensemble1698878795]

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.