What are the best Off-Broadway, Broadway and other plays and theater on female leaders to see to celebrate Women’s History Month in 2023? Here’s our edit of some of the best plays and theater events to catch in honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Grab your tickets now, as many of these won’t be on stage much longer.
what are the best current theater performances about female leaders?
Wednesday, March 8th is International Women’s Day. And March is Women’s History Month. Of course, there are millions of ways to be a woman in today’s world, and part of what we want to do on this special day is honor as many of those ways as we can. And how can we do that? With stories, of course.
What are the best Off-Broadway, Broadway and other plays and theater performances about female leaders to see for Women’s History Month 2023?
Right now, Broadway’s stages are full of compelling female characters – whether its Kimberly in Kimberly Akimbo, Juliet in &Juliet, or the six wives of King Henry VIII in Six. However, on this day – and every day – we want to make sure every woman gets her moment in the spotlight. And that’s why we are here to tell you about some of the other women-driven theater productions you can catch right now, and through the end of next month; here are some women’s stories you don’t want to miss.
Plays about female leaders in honor of International Women’s Day
1. The Good John Proctor
For two short weeks – from March 12th to April 1st – Bedlam presents The Good John Proctor. Written by Talene Monahon, The Good john Proctor reimagines the events leading up to the Salem Witch Trials – and gives the girls from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible the care and complexity they deserve. Directed by Caitlin Sullivan, the production stars Brittany K. Allen, Sharlene Cruz, Tavi Gevinson, and Susannah Perkins. Catch it while it’s here. (Tickets $40 and up).
2. Sancocho
Of course, sometimes strong women can create conflict. In this Off-Broadway Premiere from Christin Eve Cato, sisters Renata and Caridad clash when it comes time for them to take care of their aging father. Nothing makes for great theater quite like family drama, and nothing celebrates the complexity of strong women quite like their conflicts with one another. Sancocho is presented by Latinx Playwrights Circle, WP Theater, and the Sol Project, and directed by Rebecca Martínez; it will run from March 11th through April 9th, starring Zuleyma Guevara and Shirley Rumierk. (Tickets $34.75 and up).
3. A Doll’s House
From now until June 4th, you can catch the much-discussed reinvention of the famous Ibsen play. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, this production stars Oscar winner Jessica Chastain, as well as a stunning cast that includes Arian Moayed, Jesmille Darbouze, Michael Patrick Thornton, and Okierete Onaodowan, and presents a new adaptation of the text by Amy Herzog. It’s A Doll’s House as you’ve never seen it before, offering thoughts on womanhood that feel relevant and accessible for a twenty-first century audience. (And no spoilers, but the production also includes one of the most surprising moments of staging that we’ve ever seen). (Tickets $56 and up).
What are the best Off-Broadway, Broadway and other plays and theater performances about female leaders to see for Women’s History Month 2023?
4. The Wife of Willesden
If you’d like to continue celebrating women all season long, head to the Brooklyn Academy of Music from April 1st to 16th to catch the debut play from writer extraordinaire Zadie Smith. The character at the center of this new play is Alvita, a Jamaican woman who “holds court” over the crowd at a local pub. Directed by Indhu Rubasingham, the play is an adaptation of Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath, and stars Claire Perkins in the central role. The show has had several highly acclaimed runs over the past couple of years, and we’re thrilled to get to see it in its New York premiere. (Tickets $37.50 and up).
5. Becomes a Woman
Though you may never have heard of Becomes a Woman, you’ve likely heard of its author, Betty Smith. Presented by The Mint Theater Company until March 18th, a never-before-seen play from the writer of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Directed by Britt Berke, this is a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl on the cusp of womanhood, who lives with her family in Brooklyn. It starts Emma Pfitzer Price in the lead role. (Tickets $45 and up).
6. Amani
Though this co-production between The National Black Theatre and Rattlestick Theater closed on March 5th, there is still one week to catch a viewing – until March 12th, you can buy tickets to a streamed performance; perfect for those who may not live in New York. In Amani, which is written by a.k. payne and directed by Josiah Davis, the character of Amani grows up building a rocket ship with her father. But as she comes of age, she will have to find her own aspirations. Denise Manning stars in the titular role. (Tickets $45, with a special pay-what-you-can performance on March 8th).
What are the best Off-Broadway, Broadway and other plays and theater performances about female leaders to see for Women’s History Month 2023?
7. Trans Am
For one night only, The Public Theater will host a one-woman-show – and rock musical – by Lisa Stephen Friday. All about Friday’s experience as a transgender woman, the show features the music of Lisa Jackson & Girl Friday, and it is sure to be one spectacular evening. Especially as trans people face dangerous legislation all around the country, it’s important to take some time around International Women’s Day to listen to trans women’s stories. On March 13th. (Tickets $20).
8. The Lonely Few
Of course, we know that there is great theater all around the country – not only in New York. And you may have heard the rave reviews of the queer love story and rock musical that recently opened at The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. With a book by Rachel Bonds, music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak, and direction by Trip Cullman and Ellenore Scott, The Lonely Few tells the story of a struggling musician who is finally offered her big break. And with a cast like this one – Lauren Patten, Ciara Renée, Joshua Close, Damon Daunno, Helen J Shen, and Thomas Silcott – we know this one must be a hit. Until April 9th. (Tickets $59 and up).
9. Villette
Written by Sara Gmitter and directed by Tracy Walsh, this new play at Chicago’s Lookingglass brings to life a lesser-known tale by Charlotte Brontë. When the play’s heroine, Lucy (Mi Kang), finds herself without friends or family, she must make a solitary journey to a new land; will she able to find her way? Fans of Jane Eyre are sure to love this new production, playing until April 23rd. (Tickets $75).
What are the best Off-Broadway, Broadway and other plays and theater performances about female leaders to see for Women’s History Month 2023?
10. Clyde’s
If you missed Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s when it played on Broadway in 2021 and 2022, you have another opportunity to see the fabulous play. And all you need to do is drive (or take the train) to Washington D.C., and head to the Studio Theatre. Dee Dee Batteast stars as Clyde, in this play all about the formerly-incarcerated workers of a Pennsylvania sandwich shop. This production is directed by Candis C. Jones, and the cast also includes Kashayna Johnson, Quinn M. Johnson, Brandon Ocasio, and Lamont Thompson. Until April 9th. (Tickets $50 and up).
Plays about female leaders in honor of International Women’s Day
That’s our reading list for International Women’s Day, with some of the best plays about female leaders. What’s at the top of your list, dear reader?
