Second Stage Theatre News

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is pleased to announce that it will launch the national tour of Second Stage Theatre's production Let Me Down Easy. This one-woman production, which is conceived, written and performed by Anna Deavere Smith (Nurse Jackie, Fires in the Mirror) and directed by Leonard Foglia (Broadway's Thurgood) and was named one of Entertainment Weekly's Top 10 of 2009, is 'a continually engaging and engrossing collection of testimonials' (The New York Times) that explores the fragility of the body and the resilience of the spirit. Let Me Down Easy closes February 13, 2011 in the Kreeger Theater.

Carrie Manolakos (Wicked, Mamma Mia!) and Starr Busby will be part of cast of Things to Ruin: The Songs of Joe Iconis when it takes to the stage at (Le) Poisson Rouge for four performances, beginning February 28. They join the previously announced Ben Arons, Nick Blaemire, Katrina Rose Dideriksen, Ian Kagey, Eric William Morris, Mike Pettry, Lance Rubin, Jason 'Sweet Tooth' Williams and Joe Iconis.

The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT - A Contemporary Theatre are proud to announce the Northwest premiere of Vanities: A New Musical, running at ACT from February 4 to May 1, 2011. With a book by Jack Heifner (who wrote the original play on which the musical is based) and music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, Vanities: A New Musical focuses on the friendship of three women who journey from high school innocence in the early '60s of the Kennedy era to maturity in the 'me-centered' ‘80s. As the story moves across the decades, their relationship is tested both by the world and each other.

According to the NY Times, Amy Ryan is set to will perform a song entitled, 'All I Ever Wanted' at a Todd Almond concert on February 16. The performance will be held at St. Mark's Church in New York City at 8:30PM.

The New York Times has revealed that Sanaa Lathan will star in Second Stage's production of Meet Vera Stark this season. She joins Stephanie J. Block and Karen Olivo. The production also stars Daniel Breaker, KIMBERLY HÉBERT GREGORY and Kevin Isola in this world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, the new play by Lynn Nottage, 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.

Looking for a great way to spend Valentine's weekend? Join Theater Latté Da for a Valentine's Dinner in Three Acts on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the lovely Metropolitan Ballroom

Theater Latté Da's Board of Directors announced today that John Thew has been selected as the organization's new Managing Director effective immediately. Thew replaces Kimberly Motes who was recently appointed Vice President of Institutional Advancement at the College of Saint Benedict.

Second Stage Theatre opened the New York premiere of Rajiv Joseph's Gruesome Playground Injuries featuring Pablo Schreiber and Jennifer Carpenter. Scott Ellis directs the production, which began previews on January 5, 2011. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening and brings you photo coverage below.

Anna Deavere Smith's latest one-woman production, Let Me Down Easy, will be videotaped at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater by Great Performances in February for airing on PBS during the series' 2011-2012 season.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that full casting is complete for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Michele Brourman (music) and Amanda McBroom (lyrics).

This March, Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly presents Ruined, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. A powerful new play about the harrowing lives of women in Africa, Ruined is written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Liesl Tommy.

Anna Deavere Smith's latest one-woman production, Let Me Down Easy, will be videotaped at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater by Great Performances in February for airing on PBS during the series' 2011-2012 season.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that full casting is complete for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Michele Brourman (music) and Amanda McBroom (lyrics).

Philadelphia Theatre Company continues its 35th Anniversary Season with the Philadelphia debut of Anna Deavere Smith in her one-woman, award-winning show Let Me Down Easy, running March 18 through April 10, 2011 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

Craving a fun musical comedy to sweep you up in the action and keep you laughing all the way home?

Sh-K-Boom & Ghostlight Records will join with Sara Katz to present Things to Ruin: The Songs of Joe Iconis for a strictly-limited run at (Le) Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street).

Alice Ripley, who received the 2009 Tony Award® for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning Next to Normal, will reprise her acclaimed performance in the musical's 36-week multi-city North American tour, launching in November. It will end its run in San Diego January 23, 2011 at the Balboa Theatre, as a Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation.

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the complete cast and creative team for the Globe's revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.

The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL is coming the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines as part of the Willis Broadway Series Tuesday, March 15 to Sunday, March 20, 2011.

Alley Company Artist and Pulitzer finalist Rajiv Joseph is currently enjoying an astonishing year, with three plays opening in the next few months.