Second Stage's 'EVERYDAY RAPTURE' Opens 5/3

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) presents EVERYDAY RAPTURE, written by Dick Scanlan (Tony nominee for Thoroughly Modern Millie) and Sherie Rene Scott (Tony nominee for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), with musical supervision by Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, High Fidelity), directed by Michael Mayer (Tony Award winner for Spring Awakening). Previews began on Tuesday, April 7; opening night is tonight Sunday, May 3, 2009.

EVERYDAY RAPTURE is the story of a young woman's psycho-sexual-spiritual journey on the rocky path that separates her mostly Mennonite past from her mostly Manhattan future. Her life takes her from the cornfields of Kansas to the clover fields of New York (with a disturbing detour through YouTube). EVERYDAY RAPTURE also features songs made famous by David Byrne, U2, Roberta Flack, The Dap Kings and Judy Garland.

In addition to Ms. Scott, EVERYDAY RAPTURE features Eamon Foley, Lindsey Mendez and Betsy Wolfe.

EVERYDAY RAPTURE will feature scenic design by Christine Jones, costume design by Tom Broecker, lighting design by Kevin Adams, and sound design by Brian Ronan. Musical Staging will be by Michele Lynch, orchestrations by Tom Kitt, and musical direction by Carmel Dean.

Currently celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, Second Stage Theatre recently concluded an extended critically-acclaimed production of Gina Gionfriddo's Becky Shaw, directed by Peter Dubois. The season kicked off on October 2 with the 20th Anniversary staging of Howard Korder's 1988 breakthrough play BOYS' LIFE, directed by Michael Greif and starring Jason Biggs, Rhys Coiro, and Peter Scanavino.In 1999, Second Stage Theatre opened its state-of-the-art, 296-seat theatre, designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. In 2002, Second Stage launched "Second Stage Theatre Uptown" series to showcase the work of up and coming artists at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre. The Theatre supports artists through several programs that include residencies, fellowships and commissions, and engages students and community members through education and outreach programs.

Second Stage Theatre recently announced that it has acquired the right to purchase the historic Helen Hayes Theatre, located at 240 W. 44th Street. With this new home, Second Stage will be the only theater company on Broadway dedicated exclusively to the development and presentation of contemporary American theatrical productions. Second Stage will also become one of only four non-profit theater companies that own and operate theaters on Broadway. The company will continue to lease and operate their original theaters on the city's Upper West Side and in Midtown Manhattan.

EVERYDAY RAPTURE will be performed through Sunday, May 31, 2009 at Second Stage Theatre (307 West 43rd Street, just west of 8th Avenue) on the following schedule: Tuesday at 7:00pm, Wednesday - Saturday at 8:00pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00pm, and Sunday at 3:00pm.

NOTE: All weekday evening performances the week of May 5 will begin at 7:00pm. Weekend curtain times remain the same.

Tickets are $75 and may be purchased by phoning 212-246-4422 or 800-766-6048 or online at www.2ST.com. Patrons age 30 and under may purchase a limited number of specially-priced $30 tickets in advance. A limited number of student rush tickets are $15 and are available 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Group tickets are available by phoning 212-889-4300 or (800) 331-0472. Box-office hours are Monday, 10:00am - 6:00pm, Tuesday 10:00am - 7:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 8:00pm, and Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm.

For more information, please visit www.2ST.com

Photo by Carol Rosegg