MSU Theatre Tackles Dark Comedy with Wendy and the Neckbeards

Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre will present Wendy and the Neckbeards, a new play written in 2020 by Kari Bentley-Quinn. Performances run November 12, 14, and 16-21 at the Arena Theatre in the MSU Auditorium Building. Attendees must be masked for the health and safety of our students.

Two side by side photos of a woman with brown hair posing with lipstick.
Emily Herman (Senior BFA Acting), who plays Wendy, poses for Instagram post.

Wendy and the Neckbeards is a modern, dark comedy that follows the interconnected stories of body-positive wannabe influencer Wendy, her internet trolls, and the real people behind the awful comments we all read on Instagram.

“This show is a biting social commentary on several topics including the influence of social media, body shaming, body positivity, cyber-bullying, and more,” said Director Claire Wilcher. “It’s an examination of the current era of internet harassment, toxic masculinity, and the cycle of abuse towards women in America.”

Four costume design renderings on men
Costume design renderings for Neckbeards by MFA Design student Mona Jahani

Tickets for Wendy and the Neckbeards are $20 for general admission, $18 for MSU faculty and staff and seniors, and $10 for students. Tickets are available online at whartoncenter.com, at the Wharton Center box office, or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.

Performance Dates and Times

  • Friday, November 12, 2021, at 8 p.m.
  • *Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.
  • **Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, November 19, 2021, at 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 2 and 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 21, 2021, at 2 p.m.

*Director Pre-Show Discussion Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 1:15 p.m.
**Post-show discussion on Thursday, November 18, 2021, following the performance. For more information on the show and other MSU Department of Theatre productions, visit: https://theatre.msu.edu/productions/21-22/.