The Mannequin presented by We Happy Few at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

The Mannequin

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
545 7th Street, SE Washington

Sophie’s father wants her to marry a ridiculous man—on the sole grounds that he’s from France. But not only does Sophie not love the gentleman, but he's on track to spend all her money and ruin them both! To get out of the marriage, Sophie has one option: to outwit her suitor and prove that he’d rather marry a mannequin than her. Written by French luminary Germaine de Staël, The Mannequin is an overlooked masterpiece, balancing issues of women's marital rights with outright silliness.

Presented by We Happy Few

Thru - Jun 6, 2026

Sat, May 30: 7:30pm

Fri, Jun 5: 7:30pm

Sat, Jun 6: 7:30pm

Show Type: Comedy

Box Office: 202-547-6839

www.chaw.org

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The Mannequin Reviews

Average Rating based on 3 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Theatre Bloom - Recommended

"...Having experienced Parisian life both before and after the French Revolution, and then later exiled from Paris by the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte, Madame de Staël spent much of her mature adult life traveling Europe and expanding both her own philosophy and social reach from England, to Italy, Russia, and Germany. Written during her exile from France in 1811, The Mannequin centers on a classic comedic trope of examining marrying for love vs status with a sense of humor."

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- Erin Tarpley

BroadwayWorld - Recommended

"...Because the internet was not yet available, Madame de Staël (1766-1817) practiced being an influencer the old fashioned way: in a room (le salon!) with fellow smart people. An experienced writer as well, though not primarily a playwright, her 1811 farce, The Mannequin, has been smartly mounted by We Happy Few, a company that welcomes and values antique plays and proves their worth to contemporary audiences. Kerry McGee directed this translation by Vivian Folkenflick."

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- Mary Lincer

DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended

"...We Happy Few, a company dedicated to rediscovering theater classics, is mounting De Staël’s play The Mannequin (1811), a rarely produced protofeminist comedy, now through June 6. The play is lighter than air, graceful and witty, but with an undertone of sincerity that adds to its appeal."

- Sophia Howes