ROLLING WORLD PREMIERE
Lady Disdain
April 9-26, 2026
WRITTEN BY Lauren Gunderson
DIRECTED BY Jen Uphoff Gray
“Relationships form a part of her characters’ arcs, but it’s their yearning to transform themselves and their world, that Gunderson foregrounds.”
— The Daily Beast
Love is a battlefield, and words are weapons.
A wildly successful romantasy series needs the best of the best to voice its audiobooks. Who better, alas, than exes Bea and Ben? Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing gets a makeover – and Beatrice and Benedick a do-over – in this fierce and sexy comedy about the hottest books on the market and standing up for those you love – including yourself.
Save the date! Join us at the WI Book Festival on March 11 for Under the Cover: Stories We’re Falling For, a Romance panel discussion with Wisconsin-based romance writers on the ways this extremely popular genre is evolving to meet the moment. More info >
Overture Center
for the Arts
About the show
Runtime:
2 hr 15 min
Includes a 15-min intermission
Performance Dates:
April 9-26, 2026
Age Recommendation:
Ages 13+
Accessibility
We strive to make our performances available to the entire community. This guiding principle captures the theater we aim to be.
We’re proud to be a resident company at Overture Center, which provides practical accessibility for a variety of needs.
Cast
Colleen Madden
BeaDavid Daniel
BenMatt Daniels
DannyPhoebe González
HannahRon Román-Meléndez
ClaudioAlys Dickerson
AliceCreative Team
Steve Barnes
Scenic DesignerGreg Hofmann
Lighting DesignerRen LaDassor
Costume DesignerJolie Sarajian
Props DirectorBrian Grimm
Sound Designer & ComposerAbbi Hess
Stage ManagerShannon Coltrane
Assistant DirectorReview:
‘Lady Disdain’ world premiere rides sparkling into Overture
By Lindsay Christians | The Cap Times
Review:
Forward Theater’s ‘Lady Disdain’ is a welcome defense of romance
By Rebecca Jamieson | Isthmus
Preview:
‘Much Ado’ times 2: See Shakespeare’s rom-com and a saucy modern take
By Lindsay Christians | The Cap Times
Show Sponsors
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