Sarah Silverman's The Bedwetter is currently making its D.C. premiere at Arena Stage, and the reviews are in. Find out what critics are saying below.
The musical began previews February 4 and officially opened February 13 with Anne Kauffman at the helm. The work features a book co-written by Silverman with Joshua Harmon, music by Adam Schlesinger, and lyrics by Schlesinger and Silverman. The run continues through March 16.
Shoshana Bean stars as Sarah's mother, Beth Ann, alongside Aria Kane as Sarah, Ashley Blanchet as Miss New Hampshire, Rick Crom as Dr. Grimm and Dr. Riley, Darren Goldstein as Donald, Liz Larsen as Nana, Alysha Umphress as Mrs. Dembo, Avery Harris as Laura, Emerson Holt Lacayo as Abby, Alina Santos as Ally, and Elin Joy Seiler as Amy. Blanchet, Crom, and Goldstein are reprising their performances from the musical's 2022 Off-Broadway world premiere at Atlantic Theater Company.
Understudies Gigi Beckett, Aaron Bliden, Lyla Randall, Susan Rome, and Candice Shedd-Thompson round out the company. New York casting is by The Telsey Office's Rachel Hoffman and Charlie Hano, and D.C. casting is by Raiyon Hunter.
The musical, adapted from Silverman's memoir The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee, follows Sarah, a funny 10-year-old with a secret that's not so secret if you read the title.
Read the reviews below.
MD Theatre Guide (Alyssa Mutterperl)
Washington City Paper (D.R. Lewis)
Washington Jewish Week (Lisa Traiger)
The Washington Post (Naveen Kumar)*
*This review may require creating a free account or paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
The Arena bow is choreographed by Danny Mefford (Kimberly Akimbo), who is new to the show, along with scenic designer David Korins. David Yazbek, previously billed as a creative consultant on the project, is now credited with additional music and lyrics (composer and co-lyricist Schlesinger died in 2020).
The D.C. staging also includes arrangements and orchestrations by David Chase, music supervision by Meghann Zervoulis Bate, music direction by Rebekah Bruce, costume design by Kaye Voyce, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Kai Harada, video design by Lucy Mackinnon, and hair and wig design by Tom Watson. Ryan Gohsman serves as stage manager and Dayne Sundman and Samantha Wilhelm are assistant stage managers.
Arena is producing the musical by special arrangement with Tom Kirdahy and Barry and Fran Weissler.
Tickets are available at ArenaStage.org.
