'The Bedwetter'
February 4 - March 16
Arena Stage
1101 6th St., S.W.
Tickets: $69-$119
ashley blanchet: a versatile performer
Broadway star Ashley Blanchet has a knack, doesn't she? Right now, she has audiences at Arena Stage captivated with her role as Miss New Hampshire in “The Bedwetter.” Her career has been nothing short, weaving through various acclaimed roles with ease, whether it's comedy or drama. Sharing her thoughts, Blanchet explains, “Comedy's all about timing; with drama, you can play around more. My dance background taught me that comedy has its own beat.”
exploring 'the bedwetter'
“The Bedwetter” takes Sarah Silverman's bestseller and adds music. It tells a touching story about a ten-year-old battling depression and bedwettting issues—a mix that somehow brings out both humor and heart. The show dives deep, exploring themes like acceptance, resilience, and change.
In this production, Blanchet plays Miss New Hampshire, a sort-of whimsical fairy godmother living in young Sarah's imagination. Reflecting on her audition, she chuckles, “I kind-of winged it, knowing Miss New Hampshire's a pageant girl who says hilarious stuff. I drew inspiration from Kristin Chenoweth's Glinda in ‘Wicked,' which seemed like a hit with Silverman and director Anne Kauffman.”
Blanchet connects with these themes on a personal note, often reflecting on her own struggles with depression and self-discovery, especially during her teen years when theater was her sanctuary.
from discovery stage: growth and self-realization
Ashley started her artistic journey at just 14 at Walnut Hill School in Massachusetts. This environment led her straight on a path through University Michigan, where she honed her skills. After earning her BFA, Blanchet burst onto Broadway in “Memphis,” quickly moving up in roles.
Her personal journey includes understanding her identity as a bisexual Black woman in theater. She opens up, “I often felt like an outsider, so ‘The Bedwetter's' acceptance themes hit home. Embracing who I am has brought me greater peace over time.”
Blanchet realized her bisexuality during college, evolving from her initial straight identity when she began developing feelings toward a female friend. The journey wasn't easy with limited support, but she now embraces it as a natural energy rather than particular labels.
A trailblazer in theater and looking ahead
Throughout her career, Ashley's played iconic roles, like Elsa in “Frozen” on Broadway and being groundbreaking as Cinderella in “Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella” at Paper Mill Playhouse. Her role as Maria in “The Sound Music” marked yet another achievement.
Reflecting on such milestones, Blanchet feels grateful yet grounded in reality. “I never guessed I'd play these parts,” she admits. “That's just part being Black in entertainment.”
Currently reprising her role as Miss New Hampshire in “The Bedwetter” at Arena Stage, Blanchet eyes a Broadway shift. “I'm always looking ways enhance my performance,” she says.
In D.C., she's thrilled, cherishing time spent with her mixed-breed pup, Cosmo. Reuniting with her cast, revisiting this beloved musical, and sharing its message self-acceptance continues driving her passion craft and personal growth.
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