LIBERATION by Bess Wohl to open at the James Earl Jones theatre in October - Page 2

[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. 

 

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 11:41am

Carrie Coon tweeted that she was "doing a little something" before Gilded Age season 4. Perhaps it's this play or another stage project like Bug?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 12:28pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "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"

If this fails it will have nothing to do with the advance notice given before opening. People buy later and later these days.

Especially if the cast does not include boldface names, they'll sell the majority of tickets within two weeks of a performance (and at discounted prices).

Updated On: 8/2/25 at 12:28 PM

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 2:12pm

40 dollar rush tickets on todaytix. Does anybody else find it curious that their first preview is the same day as Queen of Versailles?  They should have chosen a different day 

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 3:17pm

Crusty Bagel said: "40 dollar rush tickets ontodaytix. Does anybody else find it curious that their first preview is the same day as Queen of Versailles? They should have chosen a different day"

I'd agree if both shows were opening on the same day,. I'd don't think it's really an issue with opening previews. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 9:04pm

Ensemble1698878795 said: "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.

"

I think timing and momentum also play a major factor. Oh Mary moved almost immediately riding on blockbuster reviews. Dead Outlaw waited a whole year. Other shows like Teeth did a lateral transfer after 6 months and that folded in short order.

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 8:53am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "BoringBoredBoard40 said: "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"

If this fails it will have nothing to do with the advance notice given before opening. People buy later and later these days.

Especially if the cast does not include boldface names, they'll sell the majority of tickets within two weeks of a performance (and at discounted prices)."

People complain about higher prices when the show gets closer because they didn't think to buy earlier. Dynamic pricing folks! 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 10:13am

I don't think people realize a lot of this is about licensing. Now that it's a Broadway play, all the regional theaters can produce and say "direct from Broadway" etc.

[Huss417]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 10:55am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "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.

 If John Proctor is having a hard enough time breaking even each week, Liberation basically has no chance.
."

Am I mistaken. I thought John Proctor was a hit. Didn't realize it was having a hard time breaking even each week.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 11:45am

Huss417 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "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.

If John Proctor is having a hard enough time breaking even each week, Liberation basically has no chance.
."

Am I mistaken. I thought John Proctor was a hit. Didn't realize it was having a hard time breaking even each week."

It was a VERY hard sell the first few weeks because, outside of niche theatre circles, nobody knew about the play. The first few weeks of previews even had deeply discounted tickets in the first two rows of the orchestra and in the mezzanine. (I paid $20 each for 2 tickets through Telecharge). But they seemed to take the smart route and get people in the door with cheaper prices to build WoM and, with good reviews, it was a sold out smash.

[malcs98]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 1:05pm

quizking101 said: "Huss417 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "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.

If John Proctor is having a hard enough time breaking even each week, Liberation basically has no chance.
."

Am I mistaken. I thought John Proctor was a hit. Didn't realize it was having a hard time breaking even each week."

It was a VERY hard sell the first few weeks because, outside of niche theatre circles, nobody knew about the play. The first few weeks of previews even had deeply discounted tickets in the first two rows of the orchestraand in the mezzanine. (I paid $20 each for 2 tickets through Telecharge). But they seemed to take the smart route and get people in the door with cheaper prices to build WoM and, with good reviews, it was a sold out smash."

Not to mention the recent announcement that a movie adaptation of John Proctor in the works from Universal, it's gonna be a hit by the end of its run. 

 

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 9:34am

Horray!! Original off broadway cast!!  This will be perfection!!!

[Birdie Boy]

Posted: 8/29/25 at 3:14pm

Does anyone know if they will do any cheap ticketing scheme, or if we’ll be able to get it on Hiptix?

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 8/29/25 at 4:51pm

They don't seem to have a website up? Am I missing something?

[Melissa25]

Posted: 8/29/25 at 4:55pm

https://liberationbway.com/

[The Bandstand]

Posted: 9/23/25 at 1:17am

 This play is extraordinary, everyone must see it 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/23/25 at 8:13am

The online flash sale deal yesterday was $70 per tik including fees. Good locations, but not exactly a steal…will wait for lotto or TDF or papering.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 9/23/25 at 7:46pm

What was better was the $19.70 tickets in person! Waited an hour in the line to get but a bargain (back of the mezz).

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 8:14am

What do we think of the new key art? I……..don’t know how I feel about this concept. That was such a powerful moment on stage and this feels like it’s trying to market the play as something it isn’t.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 8:29am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "What do we think of the new key art? I……..don’t know how I feel about this concept. That was such a powerful moment on stage and this feelslike it’s trying to market the play as something it isn’t.

"

Not loving it at all. It was always going to be a tough sell, but trying to lure people who might be more inclined to buy a ticket when "naked ladies" are involved, doesn't sit right with me. 

Isn't it a very serious, profound play? Now it looks like Broadway Bares. 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 8:29am

I haven’t seen the play (going in a few weeks) but I hate it. It reminds me of Naked Boys Singing lol

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 8:59am

The photoshopping also looks a bit shoddy, which doesn’t help.

[Idiot]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 7:32pm

gibsons2 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "What do we think of the new key art? I……..don’t know how I feel about this concept. That was such a powerful moment on stage and this feelslike it’s trying to market the play as something it isn’t.

"

Not loving it at all. It was always going to be a tough sell, but trying to lure people who might be more inclined to buy a ticket when "naked ladies" are involved, doesn't sit right with me.

Isn't it a very serious, profound play? Now it looks like Broadway Bares."

Oh! Liberation!

This doesn’t track with what I thought this show was about at all.

Updated On: 10/2/25 at 07:32 PM

[EmceeHammer]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 8:31pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "What do we think of the new key art? I……..don’t know how I feel about this concept. That was such a powerful moment on stage and this feelslike it’s trying to market the play as something it isn’t.”


 

I like it? Photoshopping isn’t great, but I saw the ad early on digital display and it caught my eye. It has attitude and gave me the impression this show has a point of view, is courageous, and is giving the middle finger to the patriarchy. Not sure if the text is as irreverent and nonchalant as the marketing, but it got my interest.

[PS: And if the show has more depth and complexity than the marketing, I’d consider that an added bonus as long as the show is as bold and unapologetic.]

Updated On: 10/2/25 at 08:31 PM

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 10/3/25 at 6:29am

Ugh ugh ugh. It is the opposite of what the play is about. I knew there was nudity because of the Yonder pouch but the actual  scene was completely unexpected. This art undermines the effect.