Liberation - Bway? And other questions

[SeenEnough2Judge]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 2:48pm

I have heard rumors that Liberation would be coming to Broadway next season, but can’t find anything to substantiate it. Has anyone heard if that’s true?

Also, what’s taking the Imperial next? And is it true Cats is set for the Winter Garden after Mamma Mia?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 3:00pm

- Haven’t heard that. 
 

- Nobody knows. 
 

- Probably not. But nobody knows. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 3:05pm

Last I heard was that Daryl Roth and Eva Price are trying to get it to Broadway for a commercial run next season. Of course it all depends on money, schedule, and securing theatre, but given the pedigree of the producers and the play, I'd be surprised if we didn't see it on Broadway.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 3:06pm

I hope it’s true. I had ticket (twice) to see it but didn’t make it : /

 

 

[raddersons]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 3:15pm

I absolutely adored Liberation, and I actually could see it succeeding on Broadway. But it would have to be a small house, it would have to be a limited run, and it would probably need some sort of star attached (which then gets tricky due to the nudity). 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 3:33pm

raddersons said: "I absolutely adored Liberation, and I actually could see it succeeding on Broadway. But it would have to be a small house, it would have to be a limited run, and it would probably need some sort of star attached (which then gets tricky due to the nudity)."

I think you risk throwing off the calibration of the play by adding a star to the mix. Even though a star could conceivably step into the narrator role or the mother role. It's such a tight ensemble.

The Booth or Golden would be most ideal, but as we all know you cannot pick your theatres and they'll have to go with what they're offered.

Like any play without a star, it will be a huge risk and the investors should expect to lose it all, but maybe they can think of it as a public service. The play deserves to be seen by a wider audience.

Updated On: 6/13/25 at 03:33 PM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 4:02pm

"Like any play without a star, it will be a huge risk and the investors should expect to lose it all, but maybe they can think of it as a public service. The play deserves to be seen by a wider audience."

 

I think Liberation could see Stereophonic-like success if it transfers. It would need to be a spring opening, with the cast in tact, and start out as a limited run Its word of mouth Off-Broadway was spectacular, and it feels like a strong choice for next year's Pulitizer unless something really amazing comes along to eclipse it, and if could rack up a good set of awards nominations, and it is incredibly timely. 

 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 4:09pm

this would be a good remount for second stage to get in on

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 4:22pm

BroadwayGirl107 said: "I think Liberation could see Stereophonic-like success if it transfers. It would need to be a spring opening, with the cast in tact, and start out as a limited runIts word of mouth Off-Broadway was spectacular, and it feels like a strong choice for next year's Pulitizer unless something really amazing comes along to eclipse it, and if could rack up a good set of awards nominations, andit is incredibly timely."

I agree about the timeliness, the awards, and the Pulitzer, but I disagree about the STEREOPHONIC comparison. STEREO is a populist play that feels like a Biopic and could be marketed like a musical.

LIBERATION is a thornier and less commercial play than family dramas like AUGUST or THE HUMANS which caught on without stars.

It has more in common with CONSTITUTION, but that only had a cast of 5 and a small theatre that will be unavailable in the spring.

I don't know what the 1:1 comp is...there might not be one.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 4:26pm

I could see it doing well at The Booth or The Hayes.

It’s a good play, to be sure, but nowhere near as good as STEREOPHONIC. I don’t think it would reach that level of success, but stranger things have happened. 

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 5:16pm

I saw the play and while I'd love to see it have a run somewhere else, I'd honestly be shocked if it moved to Broadway. There's just too many things in development right now that would be a priority over something that already had a run, regardless of whether or not it was on Broadway. Not everything needs to or will transfer. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 5:30pm

witchoftheeast2 said: "There's just too many things in development right now that would be a priority over something that already had a run, regardless of whether or not it was on Broadway."

This isn’t how theatre owner/producer relationships work.

There is no real “list” of priorities and no benefit of having a show in development for years vs. something coming together at the last minute. Shows will go to Broadway when the landlord and the producer deem them to be ready.

The two lead producers have longstanding relationships with theatre owners, it’s a lauded play, and theatre owners do have a responsibility to put quality plays on Broadway and ensure that there is variety in a season. (We’re basically only talking Shubert here because they control the vast majority of play-sized houses.)

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 5:56pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "witchoftheeast2 said: "There's just too many things in development right now that would be a priority over something that already had a run, regardless of whether or not it was on Broadway."

This isn’t how theatre owner/producer relationships work.

There is no real “list” of priorities and no benefit of having a show in development for years vs. something coming together at the last minute. Shows will go to Broadway when the landlord and the producer deem them to be ready.

The two lead producers have longstanding relationships with theatre owners, it’s a lauded play, and theatre owners do have a responsibility to put quality plays on Broadway and ensure that there is variety in a season.(We’re basically only talking Shubert here because they control the vast majority of play-sized houses.)"

"Quality plays" does not mean anything that's off Broadway must also be on Broadway. 

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 7:20pm

"Quality plays" does not mean anything that's off Broadway must also be on Broadway."

 

Um—what’s your point here? What would make Liveration less suited for Broadway than literally another other play this season on than Stranger Things which is empty spectacle? 

 

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 9:17am

I think I read that it is Pulitzer eligible for this upcoming year? It felt like cat nip for the Pulitzer and perhaps if it were to win there would be more motivation  for the mood and greater interest by theater owners and ticket buyers. 

Updated On: 6/15/25 at 09:17 AM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 1:07pm

Dreamboy3 said: "I think I read that it is Pulitzer eligible for this upcoming year?"

Yes. It premiered in 2025 and the Pulitzer is by calendar year. The winners and finalists will be announced about eleven months from now. 

Updated On: 6/14/25 at 01:07 PM

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 6/16/25 at 10:14am

BroadwayGirl107 said: "

"Quality plays" does not mean anything that's off Broadway must also be on Broadway."



Um—what’s your point here? What would make Liveration less suited for Broadway than literally another other play this season on than Stranger Things which is empty spectacle?

"

I think people need to have it drilled into their brains that not everything off Broadway-no matter how impactful the show may be- needs to be on Broadway. Is that okay, your highness?

[kdogg36]

Posted: 6/16/25 at 11:15am

witchoftheeast2 said: "I think people need to have it drilled into their brains that not everything off Broadway-no matter how impactful the show may be- needs to be on Broadway. Is that okay, your highness?"

No, but some shows from off-Broadway should and do transfer, and people are going to talk about this kind of thing on a Broadway message board. Is that okay with you, or do you think it's wrong to even be discussing it?

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 6/16/25 at 11:28am

kdogg36 said: "witchoftheeast2 said: "I think people need to have it drilled into their brains that not everything off Broadway-no matter how impactful the show may be- needs to be on Broadway. Is that okay, your highness?"

No, but some shows from off-Broadway should and do transfer, and people are going to talk about this kind of thingon a Broadway message board. Is that okay with you, or do you think it's wrong to even be discussing it?"

I think it's fine. I think people also need to realize that- once again- not every show that- in some peoples opinions- should transfer, will actually do so. Sometimes it's okay to have a special limited run, and that's all that happens with the show. It doesn't need life elsewhere. Like Goddess recently at The Public. I loved it, but I don't need it to transfer to Broadway. It was special downtown, and doesn't need to have another run anywhere else. 

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/16/25 at 11:31am

witchoftheeast2 said: "BroadwayGirl107 said: "

"I think people need to have it drilled into their brains that not everything off Broadway-no matter how impactful the show may be- needs to be on Broadway. Is that okay, your highness?"

 

I mean you didn’t answer the question at all. People are talking about Liberation moving to Broadway because it is a play that would be very suited to Broadway and there are producers actively working on making that transfer happen.

 

Should we pretend it’s not a good play to transfer and that the very real discussions of it doing so are not happening, your highness? 😂 You’ve in no way indicated anything backing up your opinion on what would/would not make a show a good one to transfer. You’re just in here stating opinions as facts, meanwhile the transfer of this show *is* in the works. 

 

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 6/16/25 at 11:51am

BroadwayGirl107 said: "witchoftheeast2 said: "BroadwayGirl107 said: "

"Ithink people need to have it drilled into their brains that not everything off Broadway-no matter how impactful the show may be- needs to be on Broadway. Is that okay, your highness?"



I mean you didn’t answer the question at all. People are talking about Liberation moving to Broadway because it is a play that would be very suited to Broadway and there are producers actively working on making that transfer happen.



Should we pretend it’s not a good play to transfer and that the very realdiscussions of it doing so are not happening, your highness? 😂 You’ve in no way indicated anything backing up your opinion on what would/would not make a show a good one to transfer. You’re just in here stating opinions as facts, meanwhile the transfer of this show *is* in the works.

"

I always wonder where people get this sort of information before it's made public. Can you provide some insight as to where the information is that they want to move the show to Broadway? Otherwise, it's all rumor, speculation, and not based on anything concrete. Not even sweaty man on tiktok. That doesn't count. Can you please provide an official source?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/16/25 at 11:57am

witchoftheeast2 said: "
"

I always wonder where people get this sort of information before it's made public. Can you provide some insight as to where the information is that they want to move the show to Broadway? Otherwise, it's all rumor, speculation, and not based on anything concrete. Not even sweaty man on tiktok. That doesn't count. Can you please provide an official source?"

 

I work in the industry. Agencies have put in bids to do the marketing. As others have said there are producers actively working on it. Everyone knows they are trying to transfer this show because every time it’s mentioned people talk about it. 

 

And you STILL have not said a peep about what would make Liberation any less suited to Broadway than say, English, John Proctor is The Villain, Purposw, Hill of California. You’re just in here being grouchy for no reason. It is a crowd pleasing play with an ensemble cast that is cathartic and topical given what’s going on in the world right now & explores Big Issues through a personal lens and its catnip for next year’s Pulitzer. 

 

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 6/16/25 at 1:30pm

BroadwayGirl107 said: "witchoftheeast2 said: "
"

I always wonder where people get this sort of information before it's made public. Can you provide some insight as to where the information is that they want to move the show to Broadway? Otherwise, it's all rumor, speculation, and not based on anything concrete. Not even sweaty man on tiktok. That doesn't count. Can you please provide an official source?"



I work in the industry. Agencies have put in bids to do the marketing. As others have said there are producers actively working on it. Everyone knows they are trying to transfer this show because every time it’s mentioned people talk about it.



And you STILL have not said a peep about what would make Liberation any less suited to Broadway than say, English, John Proctor is The Villain, Purposw, Hill of California. You’re just in here being grouchy for no reason. It is a crowd pleasing play with an ensemble cast that is cathartic and topical given what’s going on in the world right now & explores Big Issues through a personal lens and its catnip for next year’s Pulitzer.

Did you read anything I've written? Am I grouchy because I literally said "just because it did well off-Broadway,. does not mean it must transfer. Sometimes things are a great production off-Broadway, and that's where their journey stops. Okay, I didn't say it that way, but I did acknowledge what you said I apparently didn't. Do you bother to read anything someone else writes? I also have a foot in the industry and not once have I heard anything mentioned about this transferring. I wouldn't be disappointed if it did, you're right in that it would be good content for audiences. I agree there. I just disagree that everything off-Broadway must have a commercial run. That's it. The end. 

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 6/16/25 at 2:04pm

"Sometimes it's okay to have a special limited run, and that's all that happens with the show. It doesn't need life elsewhere."

On a message board filled with weird takes, this is one of the weirdest I've ever come across. Plays don't need lives elsewhere after you've had your special experience with them? That's...not how theater works. That's not how theater should work. That's just weird. 

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 6/16/25 at 2:15pm

I thought The Ally should've transferred from The Public. Was always surprised that didn't.