Playwright Angelica Chéri Debuted Wanted on Broadway
The musical by Angelica Chéri and Ross Baum highlights the lives of 1890s outlaws Mary and Martha Clarke.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Children’s Theater
Playwright Angelica Chéri has brought her musical Wanted to the Broadway stage. The production, which she co-created with composer Ross Baum, follows the historical stories of Mary and Martha Clarke.
Why it matters
The show examines themes regarding the risks of becoming an oppressor while attempting to overcome oppression. It covers 100 years of American history spanning the time between the Emancipation and the Civil Rights era.
Portions of the musical have existed for 12 years since its initial development. The production process involves evaluating every moment for its narrative inevitability.
The players
Angelica Chéri
She is a playwright who began taking drama classes at age 11 and produced her first play at 16.
Ross Baum
He is a composer who collaborated with Angelica Chéri to write the music for the production.
The details
Developed from a grad-school thesis, the musical relies on constant iteration to determine what has not yet been said. Angelica Chéri, who wrote her first play at 14 and produced one at 16, brings a lengthy history of creative work to this project.
Timeline
The musical was first developed in 2014.
The outlaws Mary and Martha Clarke were active in the 1890s.
Industry Dynamics
The show reflects a broader shift toward using historical narratives to examine long-term social evolution in modern theater. By focusing on 100 years of history, it aligns with current trends in musical theater to tackle complex American legacies.
Theatergoers can now purchase tickets to see the production on Broadway. Access to the show is limited to the duration of its currently scheduled run in New York City.
The takeaway
Audience members may find that the production offers a unique lens on the cyclical nature of oppression. The show serves as an example of how personal narratives can be used to interpret a full century of historical change.
Further reading
Learn more about the local stage scene in the Children’s Theater section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
