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Saint - (professional acting debut) - St. Columba Church, Washington, DC, (1974)
Karen auditioned for this play on December 8, 1973, listing no previous experience on the audition form. The director's comments were: "Good tonation - sweet voice. Can develop good stage." The play toured for six months, including a trip to England and Iona, Scotland where they performed in the actual church built by Saint Columba (whom the play is about).

The Innocent Party - Washington Theatre Laboratory Company, Washington, DC, (1974)

The Player Queen - Washington Theatre Laboratory Company, Washington, DC, (1974)

Two for the Seesaw - Berkshire Theatre Festival, Stockbridge, MA (August 19 - 29, 1981)

Tennessee Williams: A Celebration - Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA (July 1 - 10, 1982)

Love in the Dark - (Co-Produced with David M. Fox) - Actors & Directors Theatre, NYC, 12 performances (10-28-1982 - 11-7-82)

A Night of Pity - (Co-Produced)

The Royal Family - Williamstown Theatre, Williamstown, MA

The Monday After the Miracle - (As Helen Keller in the sequel to The Miracle Worker) - Spoleto Festival, Charleston, SC (May 30 - June 6, 1982)
Boston Globe review of The Monday After the Miracle

The Monday After the Miracle - Actors Studio, NYC (1982)

The Monday After the Miracle - Kennedy Center, Washington, DC (1982)

The Monday After the Miracle - (Broadway debut) - Eugene O'Neil Theatre, 230 West 49th Street, NYC, 9 previews, 7 performances (12-14-1982 - 12-18-82)

Extremities - (followed Susan Sarandon and preceeded Farrah Fawcett in the role of Marjorie) - West Side Arts Center, NYC (3-29-83 - 5-31-83)

"The Gero pere and fils producing team is rolling lucky sevens, having nabbed Karen Allen to replace the fabulous Susan Sarandon in the controversial play Extremities. Karen begins March 29 for eight weeks. This girl is a wonderful actress, better even than you might think from her sardonic outing in Raiders of the Lost Ark. For instance, she was sensitive and unbelievably good as the young Helen Keller in that recent ill-fated William Gibson play. It opened and closed all too quickly on Broadway."

Liz Smith, Philadelphia Inquirer - March 24, 1983

Camino Real - Williamstown Playhouse, Williamstown, MA

In a Bar in a Tokyo Hotel - Williamstown Playhouse, Williamstown, MA

The Glass Menagerie - (with John Sayles, Joanne Woodward and Jim Naughton) - Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA (1985)

The Glass Menagerie - (with Treat Williams, Joanne Woodward and Jim Naughton) Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, CT, 21st season (10-4-1985 - 6-1-86)

The Miracle Worker - (as Annie Sullivan) - Roundabout Theatre, 1530 Broadway @ 45th Street, NYC, 69 performances (4-29-1987 - 6-28-87)
Newsday review of The Miracle Worker

Beautiful Bodies - (Co-Produced with Olympia Dukakis) - The Whole Theatre, Montclair, NJ, 15th season (1987)

As You Like It - (as Rosalind) Shakespeare & Co., Mount Theatre, Lenox, MA (July 3 - September 4, 1988)

Miss Julie - Actors Studio, NYC

The Country Girl - Roundabout Theatre, 1530 Broadway @ 45th Street, NYC (January 1991)
Newsday review of The Country Girl
New York review of The Country Girl

Getting and Spending - Karen almost signed to star in this new comedy, which was expected to open on Broadway after two months in San Diego. She asked for a firm committment from the producers before she leased a Manhattan apartment and arranged for Nicholas' schooling in New York. The producers refused and Karen turned down the opportunity. She was replaced by Linda Purl. After a two-month run at The Old Globe in San Diego, the play opened on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theater October 25, 1998. Despite universally bad reviews, the show hung on through Thanksgiving, closing November 29, 1998.

The Batting Cage - Berkshire Theatre Festival (August 1999) - Karen was supposed to star in this new play by Joan Ackermann, but backed out to film The Perfect Storm with George Clooney

Art - Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA (Jan 16, 2000) Reading only.

Temporary Help - Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, CT (Aug 29 - Sep 15, 2001)

Speaking in Tongues - Roundabout Theatre, 1530 Broadway @ 45th Street, NYC (Oct 26, 2001 - Jan 20, 2002)
Variety review of Speaking in Tongues