Second Stage Theatre News

Jurors for The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) for the 2009 Next Link Project will include lyricist Susan Birkenhead, composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown, producer Robyn Goodman, and director Francesca Zambello. The New York Musical Theater Festival is currently accepting open submissions for its Next Link Project for the sixth annual festival taking place September 28 ? October 18, 2009. Twelve of the Festival?s full production slots are reserved for participants in The Next Link Project, NYMF?s primary writer service program. The Next Link Project empowers emerging musical theatre writing teams as both artists and entrepreneurs by providing the training and relationships needed to help them move their musicals from mere readings to fully-realized productions and to advance their careers by maximizing the exposure they receive in the Festival. A meet and greet to answer any questions from those interested in applying will be held Wednesday, January 28, 6-8pm at the Irish Rogue (356 West 44th Street, between 8th and 9th Ave). NYMF staff members will be on hand to answer questions about the Next Link Project submissions process and chat about other ways to get involved with the Festival.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts celebrates the 12th Anniversary of the Millennium Stage on January 31, 2009 with 'Broadway Today'-a star-studded, free concert, produced by Michael A. Kerker and presented in cooperation with ASCAP, in the Opera House as a part of the Center's season-long artistic initiative Broadway: The Third Generation. With the composers at the piano, original cast members and Broadway stars perform signature songs that made these artists household names. Free tickets are required. Tickets will be given away one (1) per person in line in front of the Opera House beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Six Degrees of Separation, by John Guare (The House of Blue Leaves, Landscape of the Body), directed by Trip Cullman, to run in the Old Globe Theatre January 10 - February 15 (press opening: Thursday, January 15 at 8pm). Broadway veteran Karen Ziemba, who will play 'Ouisa,' won the Tony for the musical Contact and was nominated for her work in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance and Curtains!.

Due to overwhelming ticket demand, Second Stage Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Gina Gionfriddo's comedy, BECKY SHAW, has extended six weeks, through March 15. Directed by Peter DuBois, BECKY SHAW features David Wilson Barnes, Emily Bergl, Kelly Bishop, Annie Parisse, and Thomas Sadoski. The production opened on Thursday, January 8 and was originally scheduled to run through February 1. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the opening night festivities!

Due to overwhelming ticket demand, Second Stage Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Gina Gionfriddo's comedy, BECKY SHAW, has extended six weeks, through March 15. Directed by Peter DuBois, BECKY SHAW features David Wilson Barnes, Emily Bergl, Kelly Bishop, Annie Parisse, and Thomas Sadoski. The production opened on Thursday, January 8 and was originally scheduled to run through February 1. Tickets are available through www.2ST.com or by calling 212-246-4422. Second Stage Theatre is located at 307 West 43rd street.

Due to overwhelming ticket demand, Second Stage Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Gina Gionfriddo's comedy, BECKY SHAW, has extended six weeks, through March 15.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) continues its 30th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's play, BECKY SHAW, directed by Peter DuBois.

Parsons Dance presents the World Premiere of REMEMBER ME, a collaboration with the lead vocalists of East Village Opera Company (EVOC), featuring the music of the acclaimed rock opera band. Program A premieres the new evening-length work with EVOC's two lead vocalists live onstage with Parsons Dance. Program B will feature Parsons Dance favorites: the jazzy Fill the Woods with Light, Swing Shift, Ebben, My Sweet Lord, Shining Star, and the stroboscopic Caught.

PARSONS DANCE presents a World Premiere collaboration with the lead vocalists and music of the Grammy Award-nominated EAST VILLAGE OPERA COMPANY The Joyce Theater, January 6 - 18, 2009. Tuesday, January 6th at 7:30pm (Program B) Wednesday, January 7th at 7:30pm (Program B) Thursday, January 8th at 8pm (Program A) Friday, January 9th at 8pm (Program A)

Parsons Dance presents the World Premiere of an all-new, as-yet-untitled collaboration with the lead vocalists of East Village Opera Company (EVOC), featuring the music of the acclaimed rock opera band. Program A premieres the new evening-length work with EVOC's two lead vocalists live onstage with Parsons Dance. Program B will feature Parsons Dance favorites, including Caught and Nascimento.

Profiles Theatre continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the acclaimed new comedy-drama Great Falls by Lee Blessing, directed by Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. The production runs January 15 - March 1, 2009, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway.

PARSONS DANCE presents a World Premiere collaboration with the lead vocalists and music of the Grammy Award-nominated EAST VILLAGE OPERA COMPANY The Joyce Theater, January 6 - 18, 2009. Tuesday, January 6th at 7:30pm (Program B) Wednesday, January 7th at 7:30pm (Program B) Thursday, January 8th at 8pm (Program A) Friday, January 9th at 8pm (Program A)

Now in it's sixth incarnation, the New Voices series is a concert showcasing the best of today's most promising young musical theatre composers. An exciting blend of Sondheim and pop/rock, this next generation of composers is turning Broadway on its ear with musicals about grunge bands, electroshock therapy, road trips, and Anna Nicole Smith. Performed by some of Seattle's hottest talent, join us for a break from the holidays for an evening of brand new musical theatre songs. The latest installment will perform December 29 at 8:30pm at the Leo K. Theatre at Seattle Rep.

A musical about depression? Yes. You'll not only enjoy it, you may even learn something.

Profiles Theatre continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the acclaimed new comedy-drama Great Falls by Lee Blessing, directed by Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. The production runs January 15 - March 1, 2009, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY has announced the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production previews on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd at 7pm, and opens on Friday, January 23rd at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre greets the new year by proudly presenting its 50th world premiere, a new comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity from the creators of Eurydice. Celebrated playwright Sarah Ruhl and Obie Award-winning director Les Waters come together again for the debut of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Commissioned by Berkeley Rep and staged in the state-of-the-art Roda Theatre, this hotly anticipated play begins previews on January 30, opens February 4, and closes March 15. BART and Wells Fargo serve as season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre, and the executive producer for this show is the Strauch Kulhanjian Family.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will continue its 30th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's play, BECKY SHAW, directed by Peter DuBois.

Tom Kitt (composer) and Brian Yorkey's (Book writer and lyricist) rock musical Next To Normal opened December 10th at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. BroadwayWorld took in a preview performance to bring you exclusive photos of the Arena Stage run!

Five theater artists will be honored by the Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee during the presentation of its 44th Annual Awards at a Sardi's luncheon on Friday, December 12. Ninety-five theater artists were nominated for outstanding artistry in 62 productions presented during the 2007-2008 New York theater season.