Lady Disdain

Apr 12, 2026 2:00 PM

Overture Center-Playhouse 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703

July 14, 2025

12:39 PM

Ross Zentner

David Daniel, left, and Colleen Madden in 'Lady Disdain,' Forward Theater, 2026.

Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing gets a contemporary remix by playwright Lauren Gunderson in Lady Disdain. The comedy drops two exes into a recording booth to voice the latest audiobook in a popular romance series — a setup providing plenty of room to echo Beatrice and Benedick’s famously prickly chemistry. Forward Theater Company’s production features a cast of familiar regional favorites under the direction of Jen Uphoff Gray, and is another entry in the World Premiere Wisconsin schedule. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, plus 2 p.m. April 16, 18 and 25 and 7:30 p.m. April 21.

4/9-26, Playhouse, at 7:30 pm Wednesday-Saturday and 2 pm Sunday, plus 2 pm, 4/16, 18 & 25 and 7:30 pm, 4/21. $69-$54.

media release: For their final production of the 2025-26 season, Forward Theater Company will present the rolling world premiere of Lady Disdain by Lauren Gunderson. Directed by Jen Uphoff Gray. Performances are in the Playhouse at Overture Center for the Arts, April 9-26.

Gunderson’s work has consistently topped national production lists, placing her alongside many of the most recognized names in contemporary theater. Her plays are best known for centering ambitious, complicated characters in stories that reframe history through a modern lens. With Lady Disdain, she turns her attention to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, crafting a sharp, contemporary comedy set in the spicy world of romance audiobooks.

“Lauren has a gift for taking classic stories and making them feel immediate and electric,” said Artistic Director Jen Uphoff Gray. “In Lady Disdain, she celebrates the wit, intelligence, and emotional depth of women who refuse to shrink themselves - all while having a tremendous amount of fun.”

As part of a rolling world premiere, Forward Theater will be the first company in the country to stage the production, placing Madison audiences at the forefront of this new work. The play also arrives at a moment when romance fiction is dominating pop culture, making the subject matter both timely and widely resonant. The play is presented as part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a state-wide festival celebrating new plays and musicals.

THE STORY

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.

ARTISTIC TEAM

Lady Disdain features David Daniel, Matt Daniels, Alys Dickerson, Phoebe González, Colleen Madden, and Ronald Román-Meléndez.

Scenic Designer: Steve Barnes

Lighting Designer: Greg Hofmann

Costume Designer: Ren LaDassor

Composer & Sound Designer: Brian Grimm

Props Director: Jolie Sarajian

Technical Directors: Aaron Sewell, Steve Watson

Stage Manager: Abbi Hess

Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased online at forwardtheater.com, or via overture.org. Tickets can be purchased via phone at 608.258.4141

Adults: $48-$61; Artist rate: $20 | Student rate: $17

Thursday, April 9 preview performance ticket prices - General public: $30, Students/Educators: $15

ACCESSIBILITY

ASL Interpretation: The Saturday, April 25 performance at 2:00pm will have ASL interpretation and audio description. Special seating is available with a view of the ASL interpreter.

Forward Theater also offers a variety of amenities in the Playhouse at Overture Center that make the theater going experience more accessible for all, including assistive listening devices, large print programs, and more. Visit forwardtheater.com/accessibility for details.