Second Stage News

Casting is now complete for the world premiere of TAIL! SPIN!, a 'hilarious and heartbreaking verbatim reenactment of the preposterous sex scandals that brought down Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, Former U.S. Congressman Anthony Wiener of New York, Former U.S. Congressman Mark Foley of Florida, and Former U.S. Senator Larry Craig of Idaho.'

Ben Rimalower: PATTI ISSUES plays Thursdays at 9:30 PM at the Duplex, August 30th, September 6th, September 13th, September 27th and October 4th.

Stage and screen star Sanaa Lathan (A Raisin in the Sun, Contagion) returns to the title role in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark for its West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse. Lathan, who originated the character of Vera Stark in the critically acclaimed New York run, will once again take the stage as the 1930's era maid turned movie star, reunited with original cast member Kimberly Hebert Gregory (Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer) reprising her role as fellow aspiring African American actress Lottie. Broadway vet and Geffen alum Merle Dandridge (Spamalot, Rent, Aida) will take on the spicy role of Anna Mae, who fakes a Brazilian accent for a slice of fame, and former leading lady of ABC's Man Up, Amanda Detmer, will portray Gloria Mitchell, the white starlet dubbed "America's little sweetie pie" and Vera's first employer. Helmed by award-winning director Jo Bonney, the West Coast premiere cast also features Kevin Carroll (Paid in Full, Being John Malkovich), Spencer Garrett (Iron Man 3, Air Force One) and Geffen alum Mather Zickel (Extraordinary Chambers, Rachel Getting Married).

THE PERFORMERS -- a new comedy by David West Read (THE DREAM OF THE BURNING BOY) -- will open on Broadway this fall with a cast starring Cheyenne Jackson, Ari Graynor, Daniel Breaker, Jenni Barber and Henry Winkler, it has been announced by the play's producers Robyn Goodman, Scott M. Delman and Amanda Lipitz.

Second Stage Theatre Uptown extends its 10th anniversary season with the world premiere of Warrior Class, written by Kenneth Lin and directed by Evan Cabnet through August 18th. Warrior Class is presented at Second Stage Theatre's uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre on Broadway at 76th Street, for tickets or more information; please visit www.2st.com or call 212-246-4422.

Seventeen-year-old Chelsea native and award-winning playwright Max W. Friedlich will see the World Premiere of his searing drama SleepOver in this year's renowned New York International Fringe Festival. Developed in tandem with New York Theatre Workshopand Stephen Sondheim's Young Playwright's Program, the full-length play dives headlong into the emotional minefield two New York teens face as they explore the boundaries of school pressures, race, class and the challenges of friendship in modern-day New York City.

Ars Nova presents, as part of the Out Loud series, a free reading of: LITTLE BOY BLUE by Michael Mitnick, directed by Sam Buntrock. The cast includes Bryan Terell Clark, Ana Nogueira, Noah Robbins, Luke Robertson, and additional actors to be announced.

On Monday night, Broadway Stands Up for Freedom, the annual benefit concert of the New York Civil Liberties Union (the state-affiliate of the ACLU), was presented at the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts. BroadwayWorld's Randy Rainbow stopped by the event where he ran into host Seth Rudetsky, Julia Murney, Lindsay Mendez and more. Check out what they had to say below!

Broadway star Rachel Potter will be among the upcoming performances this week at Joe's Pub.

Soho Rep, in association with John Adrian Selzer, welcomes OBIE Award-winner Roberta Maxwell to the cast of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya tonight, July 25, replacing Rebecca Schull as Maria.

BSC is proud to present a fall return of DR. RUTH, ALL THE WAY, by Mark St. Germain, directed by Julianne Boyd. Starring stage, film and television actress Debra Jo Rupp.

Just last night, Broadway Stands Up for Freedom, the annual benefit concert of the New York Civil Liberties Union (the state-affiliate of the ACLU), was presented at the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts. BroadwayWorld was there for the concert and we bring you photos from the event below!

Rare Terra Theatre celebrates the Chicago premiere of Wrong Mountain at The Second Stage, 3408 North Sheffield, September 13 - October 7. The witty black comedy, written by award-winning playwright David Hirson, is directed by Rare Terra's Artistic Director Ian Streicher.

Women's Project, the 35-year-old non-profit theater dedicated to producing plays written and directed by women, will present its 2012-2013 season of new plays featuring women theater artists at a new home, New York City Center Stage II, 131 West 55th Street, January 11 to May 19, Julie Crosby, Producing Artistic Director announced.

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) launches its 28th season tonight, July 24 when HARRISON, TX: THREE PLAYS BY HORTON FOOTE begins performances.

Songs from the new musical FICTION IN PHOTOGRAPHS will receive an industry performance on Tuesday August 7th at 3:00PM at the Laurie Beechman Theater located at the WestBank Café at 42nd Street and 9th Avenue.

Cape May Stage will welcome another Broadway legend to the Robert Shackleton Playhouse. Tonight, July 23rd at 8pm, Faith Prince brings her critically-acclaimed one woman show Total Faith to Cape May.

Broadway Stands Up for Freedom, the annual benefit concert of the New York Civil Liberties Union (the state-affiliate of the ACLU), will be presented tonight, July 23 at the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts.