8 / 10
Her new play—the ambitious, slightly overstuffed Liberation, which just opened off-Broadway at the Roundabout’s Laura Pels Theatre—continues her pattern of unpredictability: It’s a memory play of sorts, set largely in the 1970s in a basement basketball court of an Ohio rec center. (David Zinn’s scenic design is period perfection, down to the janky metal folding chairs; you can almost hear the buzzers and smell the stale sweat socks.)
8 / 10
If you were a woman in 1970, by almost every standard, you were regarded as a second class citizen in this country. You could not get a credit card or mortgage without a responsible man to co-sign for you. Abortion was illegal across the land; no matter your education or experience, you had fewer opportunities and were likely to earn less than your male counterparts; and despite all your protests and your dogged determination to gain equal rights, true equality eluded you. That’s the backdrop for Bess Wohl’s beautifully evocative play entitled Liberation. And given recent setbacks for women in the political landscape, this timely work resonates in a deeply personal way.
This March, BroadwayWorld is excited to spotlight five incredible female theatre-makers who are changing the game from offstage. In this final edition of 'Female Theatremakers' we are catching up with Broadway Intimacy Director Claire Warden.
Who run the Broadway world? Girls. This March, BroadwayWorld is excited to spotlight five incredible female theatre-makers who are changing the game from offstage. In this second edition of 'Female Theatremakers' we are catching up with acclaimed playwright Bess Wohl.
On Tuesday evening, Gloria Steinem attended the new feminist play, Liberation, and visited with the cast and creative team after the show. Check out photos from her visit!
Roundabout Theatre Company will present a one-week extension of the critically and widely-acclaimed world-premiere of Liberation by Bess Wohl, directed by Whitney White. Learn more!
Backstage Bite is back! In this episode, Katie is joined in the kitchen by the creators of Roundabout's hit play, Liberation- playwright Bess Wohl and director Whitney White. Watch in this video as they join forces to make a 70's-Style Cheese Ball and check out the full recipe below!
From Tony Award nominees Bess Wohl (Grand Horizons) and Whitney White (Jaja's African Hair Braiding) comes Liberation, a provocative and revealing new work about what really goes on when women meet behind closed doors.
Roundabout Theatre Company celebrated opening night of the world-premiere of Liberation by Bess Wohl, directed by Whitney White. Check out photos from opening night here.
Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the world-premiere of Liberation by Bess Wohl, directed by Whitney White. The play is now in previews. Get a first look at a portrait of the cast here!
The company of the world-premiere of Liberation by Bess Wohl, directed by Whitney White and presented by Roundabout Theatre Companym met with the press ahead of performances. See photos here!
Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed the complete cast for the world-premiere of Liberation by Bess Wohl, directed by Whitney White. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Play | Whitney White |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Play | Bess Wohl |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair Design | Nikiya Mathis |
| 2025 | Drama League Awards | OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY | Whitney White |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Betsy Aidem |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play | Liberation |
