The Bedwetter at Arena Stage

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 2:35pm

Curious if anyone has seen this production and how it compares to the previous incarnation at the Atlantic. Reviews seem pretty positive from what I've seen - will this end up on Broadway next season?

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 2:41pm

interested to know as well.  We're glad they fired the off-Broadway choreographer (Byron Easley) for better (the more effective Danny Mefford) at Arena. If they weren't going to lose the director (Ann Kauffman, a PLAY director) altogether, a new creative choreographer was, at least, a better start. This is not Kauffman's strength . Mefford can hopefully guide her for better.  Interesting cast changes.  Is the little the girl the same from Atlantic?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 2:54pm

Different little girl. From everything I've heard, Aria Kane is one of the best parts of this musical, just as Zoe Glick was downtown. Bean is good in another underwritten role. It's intermittently fun and extremely crude, but doesn't always land tonally. Score and book are wildly uneven and nothing to write home about.

Show still ain't fixed, but Kirdahy and the Weisslers are looking to bring it to Broadway next season nonetheless.

 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 3:33pm

Thanks!.  Agreed that Zoe was great downtown.  I'm glad Aria is strong in DC.

It was crude and fun downtown but, like you said, uneven.  Downtown it seemed a half baked and a tonally inconsistent Kimberly Akimbo directed and developed by someone not fully capable of the job.

Updated On: 2/18/25 at 03:33 PM

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 3:45pm

Why we keep giving Anne Kauffman musicals to direct, I'll never know

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 5:55pm

I saw this last week and also saw it at the Atlantic.  It's now down to one act, the book hasn't changed much. There is one new song early in the show for Shoshana Bean, which was a highlight. I think it may be a David Yakbek composition, since he has added to the Adam Schlesinger score. There was an understudy in the lead role, who was very good.  I heard it was her stage debut, which is incredible. There was a 1/2 hour technical hold halfway through for a set malfunction, during which Sarah Silverman came out and chatted with the audience about the show and took questions. That was pretty cool.  She said they were still working on it. I absolutely loved the show at Atlantic and still liked it very much at Arena. I don't think it improved between the two, and I don't think it is a show for Broadway, but who knows. I hope it continues to get stronger and is successful. It has a lot going for it.

Updated On: 2/18/25 at 05:55 PM

[MezzA101]

Posted: 2/19/25 at 9:17am

Sarah Silverman’s musical proves the affirming power of pee

Naveen Kumar's review

 

https://wapo.st/415pkJv

[DaveyG]

Posted: 2/19/25 at 9:46am

Can someone summarize the WaPo review? I can't bring myself to give any money to Bezos. 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 2/19/25 at 9:55am

DaveyG said: "Can someone summarize the WaPo review? I can't bring myself to give any money to Bezos."

All that's required to have access to gift articles is registering any email address to create a free account. 

 

 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 2/19/25 at 10:11am

Thank you!

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 2/19/25 at 2:43pm

Positive review from Theatremania