Freedom, Femininity, and the Stories We Carry: A Review of Liberation

Liberation was flawlessly executed at the Philadelphia Theatre Company. It is here on a limited run at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Here are some of the things you should consider as you go into this showing.

Before you Go see Liberation

Make sure you get there in plenty of time. Your phone will be locked. You can keep the phone in the locked pouch until at least intermission to use in a designated area. You must then unlock it before you come into the show space. This is being done to protect the actors and actresses who will be on stage experiencing brief nudity. Which brings me to my next point, I would leave young children out of this showing. It is in my opinion not suitable for them. The entire theme of the play is surrounded by topics parents may find unsuitable for young children. 

Liberation what does it truly mean

They never answer this question. It’s something that women have been trying to figure out. What is the cost of freedom? Who determines women’s freedom. At one point we couldn’t even open a checking account, own land, and more. Now we have these certain freedoms, yet liberation is still a conversation that is being debated, drilled, and even dismantled. There is no real liberation of our bodies. We are still debating the freedom to choose what we do with it. So, liberation is at the very least a concept.

The Acting is Top Tier

I really enjoyed the way that the actor and the actresses did a phenomenal job. The story is set in the 1970s. The stories weave in and out of present and the past. Everything that women are or are expected to be. The number of gems that are dropped in this one show could honestly be its own blog. I saw myself in various stages of my life as a woman and honestly the mirror made me question everything I think I know about myself. Each actress and actor made me self-reflect and even though humor is the chariot that was used to deliver the message the realness in it was uncanny.

Black Women’s Liberation

What I appreciated the most was that the discussion of liberation when you enter in with the Black woman. Women’s liberation at points have left us out of the conversation. From the need to be free while Black women are the most disrespected across the board. Yet we pioneered and cheered for the movement while being a backdrop in it. Liberation made sure to include that conversation. I loved the conversation between Ciera Gardner who played Celeste and Noelle Diane Johnson who played Joanne touched me in a place I hadn’t considered

There are so many themes that my heart attached to. So many more questions, discussions, and calls to action that I had in my heart when I left. That is the point. Am I truly happy with the liberated version of myself? What will my children, especially my daughters, see of me in the future.  

Colorful Cast 

I appreciated the colorfulness of the cast. It’s one of the most beautiful and captivating cast I have seen. The personalities, the range, as well as the story telling can’t be duplicated. I heard so many good things about the play that I went in with high expectations and wasn’t left hanging. As a wife and mother my heart felt more compelled to Susan Rome who played Margie. I saw my own mother on the stage. When she sat on the stage, wiser and older but with so much on her “plate” I immediately sat still in my heart.

The Takeaway of Liberation

There are no real takeaways but there are many takeaways to explore. You will fit into this story in many ways no matter if you are a woman or not. Honestly, we need more men to see this show too. They contribute to the rise or fall of women’s liberation in many ways. Anyone can be a feminist. It is not garnered to what your biology says you are. So, Liberation challenges you to invest into what you see and then take the action that makes the most sense. I can’t think of anyone leaving and only focusing on the shock factor after the intermission. Honestly the brief nudity are unpaid actors both attached to the characters and independently. I must give this show a solid 10/10. One of the best performances of 2026.

With this limited showing make sure you see Liberation before it ends on October 25, 2026. A special thank you to the Philadelphia Theatre Company as well as En Route for having me as their guest. My wheels are spinning and that is the gift that theatre is. Get your tickets now.