Broadway's New 'Liberation' Play Promises More Than Just Nostalgia.
The new play "Liberation," now playing on Broadway, isn't an easy watch by any means. Progress ain't always pretty, and the show knows it. That bittersweet message is a common one in issue-based plays, but Bess Wohl's 1970s-set dramedy brings some much-needed messiness and dissatisfaction to the table.
In the play, six women lead different lives, all united by their commitment to the Women's Lib movement of the 1970s. Margie (Betsy Aidem) is a suburban housewife trapped in loveless marriage, while Susan (Adina Verson) is a New York badass with attitude. Isadora (Irene Sofia Lucio) is an Italian immigrant straight-shooter who just wants to make a difference, and Celeste (Audrey Cora) is an office worker turned activist. Then there's Dora, played by Betsy Aidem again, who walks into the group thinking it's a knitting circle.
The women often clash over how to achieve their goals, but they also find solace in each other's company. The play tackles real issues like sexism, domestic violence, and the challenges of balancing personal ambition with social responsibility. And yes, it includes some explicit scenes that might be considered gratuitous by some.
Despite its ambitious scope, "Liberation" has a few flaws. It can feel overlong at times, and some of the dialogue skews more towards talking heads than genuine conversations between the characters. However, director Whitney White does an excellent job bringing out the best in her talented cast.
The real stars of the show are Aidem and Susannah Flood, who plays both Lizzie (the character's mother) and a present-day narrator. Her performance is a marvel, bringing authenticity and empathy to both roles. When she speaks, we listen. It's hard not to be moved by her portrayal of two women navigating vastly different eras and circumstances.
The play also deserves praise for tackling tough topics without shying away from the pain and complexity they evoke. In one particularly powerful scene, Aidem's character lists off her mundane daily chores at home, a poignant reminder of just how much domestic work often falls on women's shoulders.
Overall, "Liberation" is not an easy watch, but it's a necessary one. It reminds us that progress ain't always pretty and that the struggles of the past are still with us today.
The new play "Liberation," now playing on Broadway, isn't an easy watch by any means. Progress ain't always pretty, and the show knows it. That bittersweet message is a common one in issue-based plays, but Bess Wohl's 1970s-set dramedy brings some much-needed messiness and dissatisfaction to the table.
In the play, six women lead different lives, all united by their commitment to the Women's Lib movement of the 1970s. Margie (Betsy Aidem) is a suburban housewife trapped in loveless marriage, while Susan (Adina Verson) is a New York badass with attitude. Isadora (Irene Sofia Lucio) is an Italian immigrant straight-shooter who just wants to make a difference, and Celeste (Audrey Cora) is an office worker turned activist. Then there's Dora, played by Betsy Aidem again, who walks into the group thinking it's a knitting circle.
The women often clash over how to achieve their goals, but they also find solace in each other's company. The play tackles real issues like sexism, domestic violence, and the challenges of balancing personal ambition with social responsibility. And yes, it includes some explicit scenes that might be considered gratuitous by some.
Despite its ambitious scope, "Liberation" has a few flaws. It can feel overlong at times, and some of the dialogue skews more towards talking heads than genuine conversations between the characters. However, director Whitney White does an excellent job bringing out the best in her talented cast.
The real stars of the show are Aidem and Susannah Flood, who plays both Lizzie (the character's mother) and a present-day narrator. Her performance is a marvel, bringing authenticity and empathy to both roles. When she speaks, we listen. It's hard not to be moved by her portrayal of two women navigating vastly different eras and circumstances.
The play also deserves praise for tackling tough topics without shying away from the pain and complexity they evoke. In one particularly powerful scene, Aidem's character lists off her mundane daily chores at home, a poignant reminder of just how much domestic work often falls on women's shoulders.
Overall, "Liberation" is not an easy watch, but it's a necessary one. It reminds us that progress ain't always pretty and that the struggles of the past are still with us today.
. I mean, tackling tough topics like sexism, domestic violence, and balancing personal ambition with social responsibility is no easy feat, especially when it comes to representation. But what really gets me is how the show isn't shying away from the pain and complexity of these issues - that takes guts 
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. But overall, I think "Liberation" is a vital conversation starter, one that we need more of in our society. It's time for us to get uncomfortable and confront these hard truths head-on 
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! I mean, who doesn't want to see a bunch of women supporting each other while fighting for their rights in the 1970s? It's like, totally empowering 
. But what really got me was how realistic it is - I mean, these women are not all sunshine and rainbows 
. They've got real struggles, like sexism and domestic violence, that we should be talking about more. And the cast is insane 
! Betsy Aidem and Susannah Flood are giving me LIFE 
. The only thing that would make it even better is if the pacing was a bit tighter - sometimes I felt like things were dragging on a bit too long 
. But overall, I'm so here for "Liberation" and I think everyone should see it 
and I gotta say, it was quite emotional 
. I mean, I've been fortunate in many ways, but there are still times when I feel like I'm stuck or like I'm not making a difference enough 
. The play reminded me that progress is messy and sometimes painful, but it's always worth it 
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). And that present-day narrator role by Flood is pure magic 
. The play's not perfect, but it's definitely necessary - we need more shows like this to remind us of the struggles we still face today 
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it's like they're speaking straight to my soul 
. It's not an easy watch, but it's a necessary one, you know? 
[link to play review on Variety](https://variety.com/2025/theater/reviews/broadway-play-liberation-review-123456789/)
. The cast is super talented too, especially Susannah Flood who plays both Lizzie and a narrator - she's like a chameleon on stage 
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I love how it tackles real issues like sexism and domestic violence 
They're doing a great job of bringing out the complexity of these characters 
It's always important to have shows that make us uncomfortable but also think about the issues that matter 
. I love how it tackles real issues like sexism and domestic violence without being too preachy. The cast is amazing, especially Betsy Aidem and Susannah Flood - they're so raw and honest in their performances. It's a bit long, but I feel like that's because the show is trying to cover all these heavy topics 
Like, what if we challenged some of these tired tropes instead of just rehashing them? 
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- their performances are giving me ALL the feels! 
#LiberationPlay #Broadway #WomenEmpowerment #SocialJustice
. The way these characters navigate sexism and domestic violence is so raw and unflinching, like my grandma's stories about the suffragettes back in the day 
. Director Whitney White did an amazing job bringing out the best in her cast - they're totally rocking this period drama thing 
their performances are literally MIND-BLOWING!!! I loved the way they brought out the complexities of the characters, it's so relatable 
. It added a whole new level to the show and made it feel so modern 
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I mean, I totally get why they're included to make a point, but at the same time, can't we just leave some things implied? It's all about finding that balance, right?
Like, I get it, progress isn't always pretty – we're not gonna have all the answers just yet. But can't we be left with some questions instead of having our hands tied behind our backs?