Second Stage News

New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts has announced Collected Stories by 2000 Pulitzer Prize playwright Donald Margulies.

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company (Carl Forsman, Artistic Director/Damon Chua, Executive Director) today announced that their Keith Nobbs, Kellie Overbey and Kevin Kilner would lead the cast of Lanford Wilson's Lemon Sky, the 1970 drama by the Pulitzer-winning writer of Talley's Folly, Burn This, and Fifth Of July.

The Colony Theatre will present the third production of its 37th season of shows - the West Coast Premiere of SHOOTING STAR, written by Steven Dietz and directed by David Rose.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) welcomes Starry Night Theater with the New York premiere of THE BUS, written by James Lantz and directed by John Simpkins.

CAP 21 Theatre Company presents SOUTHERN COMFORT, a new musical by Dan Collins (book and lyrics) and Julianne Wick Davis (music), based on Kate Davis' 2001 Sundance award-winning documentary about transgender friends in rural Georgia. Jeffrey Kuhn and Todd Cerveris join previously announced Annette O'Toole and Jeff McCarthy, with previews to begin October 5, prior to its official press opening October 6 at the CAP21 Black Box Theater (18 West 18th Street) in Manhattan. Thomas Caruso (ZOMBIE, MIMI LE DUCK) directs.

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, is proud to present the Berkshire County premiere of My Name Is Asher Lev, based on the acclaimed novel by Chaim Potok.

IN PURSUIT, by Breahan Pautsch, is Hobo Junction's new sci-fi comedy. A sweet couple of immigrants from another galaxy is settling into a quiet life in Wisconsin, and only an intergalactic green card stands between them and the nice normal Earth life they've always dreamed of. Just when Earth American citizenship seems within their reach...miles of red tape, a crazy out-of-town cousin hell-bent on a good time and an unexpected body threaten to derail their well-made plans.

Actress Emily Bergl will open the fall season of the Oak Room at the historic Algonquin Hotel with her cabaret, 'Kidding on the Square.'

Her first stage tour, Peppa Pig's Party, was one of the top-selling children's theatre shows in 2010 and 2011. Now hot on its heels comes a second stage production, Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt that sets out on the road from 13 October this autumn with tour dates through until July 2012. This brand new show will have a West End Christmas season at the Criterion Theatre (1 December 2011 - 1 January 2012), following the sell-out success of last year's seasonal run there.

In her smart comedy The Book Club Play, D.C.-area playwright Karen Zacarías examines the intricacies of book clubs, with their unspoken rules, high-spirited debates and strong bonds formed when least expected. With an ensemble cast featuring Fred Arsenault, Ashlie Atkinson, Rachael Holmes, Eric Messner, Kate Eastwood Norris and Tom Story, this is Zacarías' second collaboration with Director Molly Smith at Arena Stage and is the first work of a Resident Playwright to be produced as part of their three-year residencies through the American Voices New Play Institute. The Book Club Play runs October 7-November 6, 2011 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced the complete cast for its upcoming production of the new musical THE BLUE FLOWER: Sebastian Arcelus (Buddy in Elf, Wicked, Jersey Boys), Marc Kudisch (Three-time Tony Award nominee for 9 to 5, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Meghan McGeary (The Blue Flower at A.R.T.), Joseph Medeiros (Irving Berlin's White Christmas), Julia Osborne (National Tour of South Pacific), Graham Rowat (Guys and Dolls), Aaron Serotsky (August: Osage County), and Teal Wicks (Elphaba in Wicked).

The Manhattan Theatre Club has announced full casting for the upcoming world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman. Joining the cast is Academy Award & Emmy Award nominee Rosie Perez (Fearless, The Ritz) as famous author 'Vanessa Finn Adams.' Completing the cast are Jessica DiGiovanni (Off-Broadway Debut) and Colby Minifie (The Pillowman, Landscape of the Body) as well as already announced Tony Award and four-time Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce ('Frasier', Curtains) and Obie Award winner Michael Chernus (The Aliens, In The Wake).

Philadelphia Theatre Company opens its 2011-2012 season with the Philadelphia premiere of John Logan's Tony Award-winning drama Red October 14-November 13 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets). Directed by Anders Cato, the two-person cast features Broadway veteran Stephen Rowe and Oscar nominee Haley Joel Osment.

AFRAID OF THE DARK -- a new thriller whose author writes anonymously -- will be given its world-premiere production Off-Broadway this fall at the Little Shubert Theatre (422 W. 42 St.) in Manhattan, with previews scheduled to begin on September 8. Opening night and casting TBA.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. A breakdown of the Equity Jeff Award nominations, plus a world premiere Jane Austen adaptation, 'Guys And Dolls,' 'Starting Here...,' 'Rodgers And Hart...' a Leonard Bernstein tribute and more....