Avery Harris. Photo courtesy of Arena Stage.
The bright and inventive comedienne, Sarah Silverman, has given us the hilarious autobiographical musical “The Bedwetter” soon to open at Arena Stage. It centers on Sarah at age 10 as she begins a new school and coming to terms with her parents’ divorce. Silverman wrote the books with Joshua Harmon, and she and Adam Schlesinger wrote the lyrics for most of the music. There is additional music by David Yazbeck. The show is based on Silverman’s book “The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption and Pee.” The production is directed by Anne Kaufman.
Aria Kane plays Sarah. She is joined by Shoshana Bean (Beth Ann), Ashley Blanchet (Miss New Hampshire), Rick Crom (Dr. Grimm/Dr. Riley), Darren Goldstein (Donald), Emerson Holt Lacayo (Abby), Liz Larsen (Nana), Alina Santos (Ally), Elin Joy Seiler (Amy), Alysha Umphress (Mrs. Dembo), and Avery Harris (Laura, Sarah’s older sister).
Avery Harris (Laura) is thrilled to be making her Arena Stage debut playing Sarah Silverman’s big sis. Regional: “The Little Girl in Ragtime” at Signature Theatre. Local: Matilda in “Matilda JR.,” Ariel in “The Little Mermaid JR.” Performing Arts: Dottie in “Utopia” and Tiny Diamond in “Trolls World Tour” at Metropolitan School of the Arts, where Avery has also taken dance for 10 years. During the summer, Avery hones her skills at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Center and at Broadway Artists Alliance in New York. Avery’s love and thanks to her mom, dad, and brother, Jonah; her vocal coaches, Laura Mehl and Heather Gifford; MSA’s Sara Hart and Matt Nall; and her school drama directors who helped instill in Avery her love of acting, Julie Johnston and Jack Lockrem.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi! I am 13 years old and I am in eighth grade. I live in Northern Virginia with my mom, dad, and 11-year-old brother. My favorite subjects are creative writing and English. I love expressing myself through imaginative words and stories. I think that is one of the reasons I love theater. Starting around when I was four and many years after, I would bring my parents into my room before bed and act out a different story with my dolls in their dollhouse every night. Who knew I would end up here with all of my storytelling, ha-ha!
I see you also study dance. Do you like acting better or dancing better?
Hm, that’s a really tough question. I think it is a tie! I love them both for different reasons. I have been dancing since I was three years old, and it has been a part of my life for so long. Currently I am taking ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theater. I love how dance can capture happiness, sadness, and everything in between, without using any words. On the other hand, acting is special to me because it is a different kind of storytelling, with dialogue and the dynamic between characters onstage. Also, there is a special bond among castmates and, with every show I do, I feel that I make lifelong friends. That is definitely true with the talented, supportive, and kind group of people we have in “The Bedwetter!”
Can you tell us about your character, Laura?
Laura is Sarah’s big sister. I think Laura, on the outside, is striving to be the perfect middle schooler, but on the inside, she is insecure about who she is and where she comes from, and especially insecure about her family. She is always on edge because she never knows when Sarah will throw her for a loop. She tries to be a perfect daughter, but there is so much pressure on her to be a pretty and popular eighth grader. In this show, we see that it is tough for her to live up to with everything going on around her as her sister becomes depressed, her Nana gets sick, and her parents have a rocky relationship. She is brave because she has all of this on her shoulders but keeps her head up. I feel so fortunate that I get to play her!
Have you ever seen Sarah Silverman perform or act?
On TV, yes! I have seen her Netflix special, “A Speck of Dust,” and lots of her comedy routines on YouTube. I also read her book, “The Bedwetter,” before I auditioned for this show. I think she is the most hysterical person ever and such a cool human. I just love her raunchy and risqué comedic style. I hope I get to meet her someday!
What are your future plans?
I want to go to college, possibly in New York City. Things I might like to study include musical theater (of course), dance, or veterinary medicine. I hope one day I get to perform in a Broadway show. I would love to one day play Regina George in “Mean Girls” and Elphaba in “Wicked.” I can’t wait to see what the future holds!
“The Bedwetter” runs February 4 – March 16, 2005 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth Street SW, Washington D.C. 20024. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go online. There are post-show conversations on February 20, 26 and March 4 after the 12 pm matinee and following the performances on February 25th and 27th 7:30 pm.
