Second Stage Theatre News

Now through May 28, 2011, the Melbourne Theatre Company will present the Australian premiere of the 2010 Pulitzer-Prize winning Broadway hit, Next To Normal. The production, which is being directed by Dean Bryant and musical directed by Matthew Frank, will star Matt Hetherington and Kate Kendall.

Philadelphia Theatre Company concludes its 35th Anniversary Mainstage Season with the Philadelphia premiere of Ruined by Lynn Nottage, running May 20 through June 12, 2011 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

The Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival (Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Emily Tarquin, Festival Producer), with sponsorship from The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, has announced the line-up for the 2011 summer season of theatre and dance at the venerable performing arts camp and school in Steamboat Springs, CO.

The 2011 Planet Connections Theatre Festivity will feature a quite dark and twisted pairing this year.

Every Tony Needs a Tina! BestofOffBroadway.com announced the first annual Tina Award nominations today, honoring the top Off-Broadway productions of the 2010-2011 season.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Executive Director Ellen Richard announced the appointment of Don-Scott Cooper as general manager.

Lynn Nottage's world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, already extended one week through May 29 at Second Stage Theatre, opens tonight, May 9. Directed by Jo Bonney, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009. For ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com. BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK features Stephanie J. Block, Tony Award-nominee Daniel Breaker, Tony Award-nominee David Garrison, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Kevin Isola, Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan, and Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo. Let's see what the critics had to say!

Lynn Nottage's world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, already extended one week through May 29 at Second Stage Theatre, and opened last night, May 9. Directed by Jo Bonney, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009. For ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com.

The Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning rock musical "Next to Normal" is coming to the Ordway for a two-week run from May 10-22.

The Drama League has announced the rosters of stars who will appear as presenters at The 77th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 20, 2011 (noon) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway at 46th Street). The ceremony will be hosted by Kathleen Turner (High).

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the New York premiere of Stephen Karam's new play Sons of the Prophet, will feature Tony Award winner Joanna Gleason, directed by Peter DuBois.

The 2011 Planet Connections Theatre Festivity will feature a quite dark and twisted pairing this year.

Lynn Nottage's world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, already extended one week through May 29 at Second Stage Theatre, opens tonight, May 9. Directed by Jo Bonney, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009. For ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com.

Screen and stage actor, writer, and director Zach Braff will host the Huntington Theatre Company's 2011 Spotlight Spectacular! gala benefit on Monday, May 9, 2011 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel. The event will honor Boston playwright Lydia R. Diamond and Trustee Bill McQuillan with The Wimberly Award, the Huntington's highest honor. The evening's entertainment will be announced shortly.

Megabytes and microbes collide in Itamar Moses' Completeness, a romantic comedy about the budding relationship between a pair of science geeks that will have its world premiere on the Argyros Stage April 17 through May 8.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) kicks off this summer's Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series with the world premiere of Sex Lives of Our Parents, written by Michael Mitnick. Directed by Davis McCallum, Sex Lives of Our Parents will feature Teddy Bergmann (Peter and the Starcatcher), Lisa Emery (Far East), Daniel Jenkins (Mary Poppins), Virginia Kull (Dividing the Estate), Ben Rappaport (NBC's 'Outsourced') and Mark Zeisler (Second Stage Theatre's Eurydice). Previews begin on June 7th and opening night is Wednesday, June 22

Tony winner ALice Ripley has been absent from the Chicago engagment of the NEXT TO NORMAL tur thus far, because of a knee injury, according to the Chicago Tribune. A representative from Broadway in Chicago revealed that Ripley is expected to return to the show tonight, May 5.

Nominations in 26 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing's 65th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were announced May 3, 2011 by Tony Award winning actor Matthew Broderick and Tony Award winning actress Anika Noni Rose, at the Tony Award Nominations Announcement sponsored by IBM.

Last night, the 2011 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were handed out to recipients in 14 categories and 3 special awards. This year's ceremony will benefit The Actors Fund. BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the special night including the winners, presenters and performers.

Last night, the 2011 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were handed out to recipients in 14 categories and 3 special awards. This year's ceremony will benefit The Actors Fund. BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the special night including the red carpet arrivals.