Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announced the full cast and creative team for two-time Emmy Award–winning comedian, actress, writer, and producer Sarah Silverman’s The Bedwetter – A New Musical. Following a critically acclaimed, twice-extended Off-Broadway run at Atlantic Theater Company in 2022, The Bedwetter will return to the stage with a new book and additional music and lyrics. Directed by Tony nominee Anne Kauffman (Mary Jane), the production will make its regional premiere February 4 – March 16, 2025, in the Kreeger Theater, kicking off the second half of Arena Stage Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif’s inaugural season. For more information and tickets, please visit arenastage.org/bedwetter.
“I’m so excited for y’all to meet our Bedwetter cast and crew at our run in DC,” raved Silverman. “Come forget about today and slip into New Hampshire in the 80s with us!”
The Bedwetter follows ten-year-old Sarah (played by Aria Kane in her Arena Stage debut) facing a new school, her parents’ divorce, and an embarrassing secret you’ll never guess–unless you read the title. This hysterical musical features a book co-written by Silverman and Tony nominee Joshua Harmon (Prayer for the French Republic), music by Grammy and three-time Emmy winner Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), lyrics by Silverman and Schlesinger, and additional music and lyrics by Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit). Experience “the waves of laughter that ripple through the audience” (TheaterMania) when Silverman’s bestselling memoir comes to life in this hilarious heartwarming show about a funny potty-mouthed little girl with life-sized problems.
“In this pivotal coming-of-age story, Sarah Silverman has crafted a hilariously funny yet raw look inside the childhood that has made her the multidimensional talent she is today,” said Sharif. “And when you pair her comedic brilliance with a remarkable team of creatives and musical talents, you’ve got something truly groundbreaking. The Bedwetter delivers audiences 90 minutes of nonstop laughter, groovy music, compassion, perseverance, and a little pee.”
Joining Kane (Frozen North American Tour) as Sarah and the previously-announced two-time Tony and Grammy nominee Shoshana Bean (Hell’s Kitchen) as her mother Beth Ann will be alums from the Atlantic production, including Ashley Blanchet (Waitress) as Miss New Hampshire, Rick Crom (Urinetown) as Dr. Grimm/Dr. Riley, and Darren Goldstein (Netflix’s Ozark) as Donald, all reprising their respective roles, along with Broadway favorites Tony nominee Liz Larsen (The Most Happy Fella, Arena’s Sunday in the Park with George) as Nana and Alysha Umphress (On the Town) as Mrs. Dembo. Rounding out the cast will be Avery Harris (Signature Theatre’s Ragtime) as Laura, Emerson Holt Lacayo (Ford’s Theatre’s A Christmas Carol) as Abby, Alina Santos (Hulu’s Summer of 69) as Ally, and Elin Joy Seiler (Drury Lane’s The Audience) as Amy.
The company also includes Gigi Beckett (Opera House Theatre Company’s Annie), Aaron Bliden (Second City/Kennedy Center’s Love, Factually), Lyla Randall (Hulu’s Mr. Crocket), Susan Rome (Arena’s Angels in America), and Candice Shedd-Thompson (Arena’s Unknown Soldier) as understudies.
Kauffman will lead a creative team that includes choreographer Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen), Emmy and Grammy-nominated orchestrator and arranger David Chase (NBC’s The Sound of Music Live!), music supervisor Meghann Zervoulis Bate (Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club), music director Rebekah Bruce (The Hills of California), Emmy-winning and Tony-nominated set designer David Korins (Dear Evan Hansen), costume designer Kaye Voyce (Uncle Vanya), Tony-nominated lighting designer Japhy Weideman (Dear Evan Hansen), Tony-winning sound designer Kai Harada (The Band’s Visit), Tony-nominated video designer Lucy Mackinnon (Jagged Little Pill), hair & wig designer Tom Watson (Spamalot), associate director Ash(er) Lloyd Ehrenberg (Atlantic Theater’s The Bedwetter), associate choreographer Niani Feelings (Once Upon a Mattress), associate music director Matthew Lowy (The Music Man), and dialect and vocal coach Lisa Nathans (Arena’s Death on the Nile). New York casting is by The Telsey Office / Rachel Hoffman and Charlie Hano. DC casting is by Raiyon Hunter. The stage manager is Ryan Gohsman (Here Lies Love) and the assistant stage managers are Dayne Sundman (Arena’s Death on the Nile) and Samantha Wilhelm (Shakespeare Theatre’s Macbeth).
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Shoshana Bean (Beth Ann) was most recently seen starring in Alicia Keys’ new hit Broadway musical, Hell’s Kitchen. Her portrayal of Jersey earned Shoshana her second Grammy Award nomination, second Tony Award nomination, a Drama League Award nomination, and a Drama Desk nomination. Her performance in the Public Theater’s Hell’s Kitchen Off-Broadway production earned her a Lucille Lortel Award nomination. In 2022, she received Tony, Grammy, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League nominations for her starring role as Susan Young opposite Billy Crystal in Broadway’s Mr. Saturday Night. She previously starred on Broadway as the first replacement for Elphaba in Wicked and as Jenna in Waitress. Her six independent studio albums and EPs have landed her on top of the iTunes and Billboard charts, including the peak position of #1 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. She has sold out concerts around the globe and lent her voice to countless films and television shows, including The Boys, Sing, Sing 2, Enchanted, Jersey Boys, Glee, and Galavant. Shoshana made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Hairspray, and has appeared Off-Broadway in the 2000 revival of Godspell and in Songs for a New World at City Center Encores!. She won an IRNE Award for her performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and earned a Jeff Award nomination for her portrayal of Cee Cee Bloom in the pre-Broadway musical production of Beaches. She has appeared in Bloodline, Bill and Ted Face the Music, Great Performances: 50 Years of Broadway’s Best, and filmed a solo concert special for PBS.
Ashley Blanchet (Miss New Hampshire) is excited to be back floating on a golden sea, for this Arena Stage debut! Broadway credits include Waitress with Sara Bareilles (Dawn), Frozen (as the first Black Elsa), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (ACCA Award), Annie (Star to Be), and Memphis. Select Regional: Belle in Beauty and the Beast (The Muny); Maria in The Sound of Music and the title role in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Paper Mill Playhouse); and Kate Mullins/Charlotte Cardoza in last summer’s City Center Encores! production of Titanic, directed by the marvelous Anne Kaufman. Film/TV: The Good Fight, The Equalizer, Wonder Pets, Noggins 123, Better Nate Than Ever, and Raquelle in the animated short film Are You Okay? by Wonder Media.
Rick Crom (Dr. Grimm/Dr. Riley) has appeared on Broadway in the original casts of The Goodbye Girl, Footloose, and Urinetown. On television, he’s had roles on HBO’s Divorce, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Succession, and others. Film: The Post, Bros, The Lennon Report, among others. Rick performs regularly at the Comedy Cellar in NYC where he also runs the top stand-up comedy school in the city. Recently, he taught “Stand-Up Comedy for Actors” at Stella Adler. He is the author of several Off-Broadway revues including Newsical The Musical which ran for 10 years on Theatre Row in NYC. Rick is also the subject of the documentary “Oh, Rick!” on YouTube.
Darren Goldstein (Donald) Broadway: Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Off-Broadway: The Bedwetter, Oohrah! (Atlantic Theater); Continuity, The Madrid (Manhattan Theatre Club); Rasheeda Speaking, The Good Mother, Abigail’s Party, Mouth to Mouth, Terrorism (The New Group); Mary Rose (The Vineyard). Regional: The Forgotten Woman (Bay Street), Beyond Therapy (Williamstown/Bay Street). Film: Sharper, Paterno, Detroit, The Girl on the Train, Limitless. TV: Pat Shannon on HBO’s The Franchise, Charles Wilkes on Ozark, Oscar Hodges on The Affair, Other TV: The Gilded Age, American Crime Story: Impeachment, Under the Banner of Heaven, Inside Amy Schumer, Billions. MFA: NYU Graduate Acting Program.
Avery Harris (Laura) is thrilled to be making her Arena Stage debut playing Sarah Silverman’s big sis. Regional: The Little Girl in Ragtime at Signature Theatre. Local: Matilda in Matilda JR., Ariel in The Little Mermaid JR. Performing Arts: Dottie in Utopia and Tiny Diamond in Trolls World Tour at Metropolitan School of the Arts, where Avery has also taken dance for 10 years. During the summer, Avery hones her skills at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Center and at Broadway Artists Alliance in New York. Avery’s love and thanks to her mom, dad, and brother, Jonah; her vocal coaches, Laura Mehl and Heather Gifford; MSA’s Sara Hart and Matt Nall; and her school drama directors who helped instill in Avery her love of acting, Julie Johnston and Jack Lockrem.
Aria Kane (Sarah) is honored to bring the hilarious, yet touching, story of Sarah Silverman’s childhood to life. Theater: Young Anna in Frozen North American Tour (Young Anna), Primrose/Young Marybeth in Mad Hatter the Musical. TV: FBI: Most Wanted, The Blacklist, and SNL. Thanks to Susan Lipton, Bonnie Shumofsky Bloom, Lucius Robinson, and Stewart Talent; Katie, Emily, Steven, Annie, and Annie’s Playhouse; Celeste Simone for believing in her; Rachel Hoffman, Charlie Hano, and The Telsey Office for giving her every opportunity to shine; and Fran, Jeff, and Iris at SYP for working around her crazy schedule. Special thanks to Sarah Silverman, Anne Kauffman, Arena Stage, Tom Kirdahy, and Fran & Barry Weissler for trusting her to take on this incredible role. “I won’t let you down!” Hugs to Mom, Dad, Eena, Dylan, & Bonnie!
Emerson Holt Lacayo (Abby) is thrilled to make her Arena Stage debut as Abby in The Bedwetter! She was recently seen in A Christmas Carol as Fan at Ford’s Theatre and in Ragtime as The Little Girl at Signature Theatre. Emerson’s other theater credits include Shrek as Young Fiona, The Music Man as Amaryllis, and Seussical as Jojo. She is a part of Broadway Artists Alliance in NY and Broadway Theatre Connection in MD and is a student of The Prep NY. Thanks to Mallory Levy/DDO Kids, Bercy Talent, Anne Kauffman, The Telsey Office/Rachel Hoffman, Raiyon Hunter, Jessi Clayton, Andrew Hann and, of course, Sarah Silverman, for sharing her beautiful and hilarious story.
Liz Larsen (Nana) won the Helen Hayes Award for her portrayal of Dot in the Arena Stage production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George. She was nominated for the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle, and won the LA Drama League Award, for her performance in Broadway’s The Most Happy Fella. She recently starred in the world premiere of A Transparent Musical as the fabulous matriarch Shelly Pfefferman at the Mark Taper in Los Angeles. Broadway: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Hairspray, Damn Yankees, The Rocky Horror Show, A Little Night Music, Smell of the Kill, Starmites, Fiddler on the Roof, A New Brain (Lincoln Center). Off Broadway/Regional/Tours: Annie, Du Barry Was a Lady, Baby (Helen Hayes nomination), Loman Family Picnic, Company, New Yorkers, Bingo. TV: Madoff (w/ Richard Dreyfuss) Mr. Robot, Law & Order (10 years), SVU (4 years), The Americans, Bunheads, Criminal Intent, Sopranos, Raising Kanan, Third Watch, The Street, Deadline, The Breaks. Movies: The Week Of, Hudson Tribes, The Boy Downstairs, One Percent More Humid, Keeping the Faith. Upcoming: Liz stars in the new Jay Duplass feature film Baltimorons.
Alina Santos (Ally) is thrilled to make her theatrical debut with The Bedwetter! Recent credits: Summer of 69 (Hulu), Together We Can (PBS). Other credits include Target, Nike, Lilly Pulitzer, and La Roche-Posay. Special thanks to Barry Kolker, Michelle Aravena, Keely Hutton, BKA, Taylor Henderson, Deena Freeman, and Jennifer Dustman. Lots of love and appreciation to her family, friends, and teachers for their support and encouragement!
Elin Joy Seiler (Amy) is excited to be making her debut at Arena Stage and continuing her journey with Sarah Silverman’s The Bedwetter. A native of Chicago, Elin’s stage credits include Young Elizabeth in The Audience (Drury Lane); Debbie Wilkinson in Billy Elliot (Paramount); and Amaryllis in Music Man, Baby June in Gypsy, and Grover Dill in A Christmas Story (Marriott). Special thanks to Anne Kauffman, Arena Stage, and the entire creative team for the opportunity to be a part of this story of pain, perseverance, and pee; Jim and Siobhan at Stewart Talent; and her family for making this possible. Prov. 17:22.
Alysha Umphress (Mrs. Dembo) Arena Stage debut! Previously seen in the DC area originating the role of Cee Cee Bloom in the world premiere of Beaches at Signature Theatre (Hayes nomination for Outstanding Leading Actress). Broadway credits include On the Town, Bring It On, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, and American Idiot. She was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for her work in the NYC revival of Smokey Joe’s Café. Her television credits include Murphy on two seasons of Netflix’s Bonding, Royal Pains, Girls5Eva, Chicago Med, Blue Bloods, Law & Order: SVU, and Nurse Jackie. She performs with symphonies throughout the US and Europe and made her principal soloist debut at the world-famous La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy, last year.
Gigi Beckett (Understudy Laura, Abby, Ally, Amy) is delighted to be making her theatrical debut with Arena Stage. Her favorite roles include Annie in Annie (OHTC), Brigitta in The Sound of Music (OOH), and Wednesday in The Addams Family. She has studied at ABT in NYC and was a competition dancer at Studio Bleu. Thank you Stewart Talent, Avay Management, BKA, family, and friends for all of your love and support!
Aaron Bliden (Understudy Dr. Grimm/Dr. Riley, Donald) is a DC-based actor, musician, designer, and writer. DC area credits include Endgame (Baltimore Center Stage); Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies, America: All Better! (Second City/Woolly Mammoth); Twist Your Dickens (Second City/Kennedy Center); Old Wicked Songs, Trevor, Fly By Night [Helen Hayes awards for Best Musical and Ensemble, nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical], Lobby Hero (1st Stage); Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure [Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical], Escape from Peligro Island (Imagination Stage); Minnie the Moocher (Pointless Theatre); Threepenny Opera (Signature); Love, Factually (Second City/Kennedy Center); Romeo and Juliet (Folger); The Cerulean Time Capsule, Mockingbird (Kennedy Center); Rabbit Hole (Olney); The Illusion (Forum); Yentl (Theater J); and Beep Beep (Arts on the Horizon). TV/Film credits include Turn (AMC), Mercy Street (PBS), Sultan and the Saint (PBS), and Gothic Slayers. Aaron graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Lyla Randall (Understudy Sarah) is thrilled to make her professional theater debut at Arena Stage! A seasoned performer, Lyla has been dazzling audiences as a competitive dancer since the age of 5. She made her film debut in Hulu’s 2024 horror hit Mr. Crocket and voices a recurring character in the new animated series Drone Cats. Heartfelt thanks to Bedwetter creatives, Anne Kauffman, and Raiyon Hunter. Gratitude to her incredible team at CESD and Rebel Creative Group, voice coach Dani Brindisi, acting coach Jessi Clayton, and BKA’s Kurt Domoney, Judy Brown-Steele, and Jeff Ostermueller. So much love to family, friends, and mentors! Special appreciation to her first coach, Mary Kate Morrissey, who taught Lyla the skills to excel as an understudy and is a constant source of inspiration. “You’re exactly where you’re meant to be.”
Susan Rome (Understudy Nana) has been seen previously at Arena Stage in Angels in America, Indecent (also at KCRep and Baltimore Center Stage), All the Way, and The Great Society. Some recent stage credits include The Art of Care (Mosaic); Becoming a Man (American Repertory Theater); Something Moving (Ford’s); Our Town, Folks at Home, Indecent, After the Revolution, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Mud Blue Sky, An Enemy of the People (Baltimore Center Stage); Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes (Signature); Love’s Labor’s Lost (Folger); If I Forget, Hand to God (Studio); The Diary of Anne Frank, The Joy We Carry (Olney); Edward Albee’s Occupant, Roz and Ray, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Brighton Beach Memoirs, After the Revolution (Theater J); many more. Film: Burst the Silence, Fishbowl, My One and Only, John Waters’ A Dirty Shame. Television: The Wire, We Own This City, House of Cards.
Candice Shedd-Thompson (Understudy Beth Ann, Miss New Hampshire, Mrs. Dembo) is thrilled to be returning to Arena Stage, having last appeared in Unknown Soldier. Favorite DC area credits include A.D. 16, Nicola in Kinky Boots (Olney Theatre Center); Monica in Rooms: A Rock Romance (MetroStage); Gynecia in Head Over Heels (Monumental Theatre); Snow White in Disenchanted [Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Ensemble], Babette in Beauty and the Beast (Creative Cauldron); and Rita LaPorta in Lucky Stiff (NextStop Theatre). Regional highlights include Maureen in Rent, Woman 1 in Songs for a New World (Milton Theatre) and Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Riverside Center). She is a former Production Vocalist for Celebrity Cruises and is currently a singer with the Bachelor Boys Band, one of DC’s top wedding and event bands. BA in Musical Theatre from James Madison University.
The Bedwetter runs February 4 – March 16, 2025 in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St SW, Washington, DC 20024. Tickets start at $69 plus applicable fees. Tickets are available atarenastage.org. Tickets may also be purchased through the Sales Office by phone at 202-488-3300, Tuesday-Sunday, 12-8 p.m., or in person at the box office Tuesday-Sunday, 2 hours prior to a performance. Arena Stage’s many savings programs include “pay your age” tickets for those aged 35 and under; military, first responder, and educator discounts; student discounts; and “Southwest Nights” for those living and working in the District’s Southwest neighborhood. To learn more, visit arenastage.org/savings-
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Weekday matinees at 12 p.m. on February 20, February 26, March 5, and March 13
No performance on March 6
Early Curtain: Sunday, March 2 at 6 p.m.
Southwest Nights: Thursday, February 6 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 8 at 2 p.m.
Audio-Described Performance: Saturday, February 15 at 2 p.m.
ASL-Interpreted Performance: Saturday, March 1 at 8 p.m.
Mask-Required Performances: Saturday, February 8 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Closed Captioning: GalaPro begins, Friday, February 14
Pride Night: Wednesday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m.
HBCU/Divine Nine Night: Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m.
Industry Night: Sunday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Post-Show Conversations
Connect with the show beyond the performance at a post-show conversation on February 20, February 26, and March 5 following the 12 p.m. matinees, February 25 following the 7:30 p.m. performance, and February 27 following the 8 p.m. performance.
ABOUT ARENA STAGE
The first racially integrated theater in our nation’s capital and a pioneer of the regional theater movement, Arena Stage was founded in 1950 in Washington, DC. Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is a national center dedicated to American voices and artists. Arena produces plays of all that is passionate, profound, deep, and dangerous in the American spirit, and present diverse and groundbreaking work from some of the best artists around the country. Consistently contributing to the American theatrical lexicon by commissioning and developing new plays, Arena Stage impacts the lives of over 10,000 students annually through its work in community engagement and serves a diverse annual audience of more than 300,000.
SEE ALSO:
Arena Stage casts Shoshana Bean to lead Sarah Silverman’s ‘The Bedwetter’ (news story, December 16, 2025)
