Tony Kiser News

WE'RE GONNA DIE officially opens tonight, February 25 at the Tony Kiser Theater (305 W 43rd Street). Check out highlights below!

Over the second weekend of February, thousands of students and educators from around the globe gathered at the 4th annual Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) West here in Sacramento. For many, the highlight was hearing the incredible voices that come to the Festival each year to share their experiences and hard-earned wisdom. One such voice was best-selling author Jodi Picoult, who believes in the mission of the Junior Theatre Festival so much that she strives to be at both the Atlanta and Sacramento events each year. This year, however, was even more special. The musical, Between the Lines, which is based on a book written by Picoult and her daughter, Samantha van Leer, opens Off-Broadway on April 21. Much of the talent responsible for bringing the novel to the stage was at JTF West talking about their journey and showcasing songs for the first time for the lucky young thespians. Included were composing team Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, Tony-nominated director Jeff Calhoun, and book writer (and JTF founder) Timothy Allen McDonald. Broadway World Sacramento was able to sit down with Picoult and speak to her about the challenges of getting a show to Off-Broadway, women in theatre, and all things Between the Lines.

Forget that other show. I was in the REAL room where it happened last weekend at the 4th Annual Junior Theater Festival West (JTF), which celebrates youth theatre and encourages students and teachers to keep theatre alive in their community. Each year it follows the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, which just finished its 15th season. Over 2,200 people participated in the three-day festival, some coming from as far away as Australia, England, and South Korea. Students and educators benefited from the knowledge of top Broadway professionals in the form of adjudications, workshops, and a discussion panel entitled Pathways to Success, in which the featured guests shared how they forged their own paths to Broadway and beyond.

Just last night, Second Stage Theater celebrated its annual All-Star Bowling Classic.  For over 30 years, stars of stage and screen have come out to bowl in support of Second Stage's award-winning seasons and to assist the theatre in its fund-raising efforts.

Second Stage Theater will soon present WE'RE GONNA DIE, a show performed by Janelle McDermoth (A Bronx Tale), will be part of the company's current 41st season. WE'RE GONNA DIE is written by Young Jean Lee (Straight White Men) and directed & choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, featuring original music by Young Jean Lee and Tim Simmonds, additional music by John-Michael Lyles, and lyrics by Young Jean Lee. Music supervision and arrangements are by Remy Kurs with orchestrations by Cian McCarthy.

Second Stage Theater will soon present WE'RE GONNA DIE, a show performed by Janelle McDermoth (A Bronx Tale), will be part of the company's current 41st season. WE'RE GONNA DIE is written by Young Jean Lee (Straight White Men) and directed & choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, featuring original music by Young Jean Lee and Tim Simmonds, additional music by John-Michael Lyles, and lyrics by Young Jean Lee. Music supervision and arrangements are by Remy Kurs with orchestrations by Cian McCarthy.

The new Off-Broadway musical BETWEEN THE LINES has released its first music video for a?oeSomething to Hold Onto,a?? performed by Jason Gotay.

The Off-Broadway League today announced that between December 11th and December 16th, it will partner with the Osborne Association a?" donating toys to children whose parents are incarcerated or in conflict with the law. It is the first time a major organization has partnered with the Association in order to provide toys for the children of inmates during the holidays. This year's Off-Broadway Holiday Toy Drive is being done online a?" and at the participating theaters. Buy a new toy ($10-$20) and get a '2-for-1' ticket code. Visit https://yougivegoods.com/holidaysoffbroadway for more details.

We're getting an exclusive look behind the scenes at at the new musical Between the Lines, which is set to begin performances at Off-Broadway's Tony Kiser Theater at Second Stage this April! Check out the video to see the show's songwriting team, Elyssa Samsel & Kate Anderson, giving us a look at what the show is all about and what audiences can expect!

Second Stage Theater presents the world premiere of Will Eno's The Underlying Chris.

Alexis Scheer's OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD, directed by Whitney White, will receive an extended life, adding nine weeks to its already twice extended run at the McGinn / Cazale Theater (2162 Broadway), through Sunday, January 5, 2020. Producers Benjamin Simpson, Joseph Longthorne and Jana Shea will present this special extension of the smash hit, critically-acclaimed WP Theater (Lisa McNulty, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Sag, Managing Director) and Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, President & Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Director) production. Tickets from November 5, 2019 through January 5, 2020 are on sale now at www.ourdeardeaddruglord.com.

Due to extremely strong ticket demand, the acclaimed production of Alexis Scheer's OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD, directed by Whitney White, has been extended a second time and will now run through Sunday, November 3, announced WP Theater (Lisa McNulty, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Sag, Managing Director) and Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, President & Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Director).

Tickets are now on sale for the new Off-Broadway musical Between the Lines at the Tony Kiser Theater at Second Stage (305 West 43rd Street). Tickets range from $55 a?' $125 and are available at www.BetweenTheLinesMusical.com. Produced by Daryl Roth, Between the Lines will begin performances on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 and officially open on May 7, 2020.

Due to extremely strong ticket demand, the acclaimed production of Alexis Scheer's OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD, directed by Whitney White, has been extended one week and will now run through Sunday, October 27.

New musical Between the Lines will begin performances on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 and officially open in May 2020 at Off-Broadway's Tony Kiser Theater at Second Stage (305 West 43rd Street).

Second Stage Theater has announced that WE'RE GONNA DIE, a show performed by Janelle McDermoth (A Bronx Tale), will be part of the company's current 41st season. 

Due to extremely strong ticket demand, Second Stage Theater will extend its acclaimed production of Bess Wohl's new play, MAKE BELIEVE, by one week, now running through Sunday, September 22nd.

Second Stage Theater is currently presenting the New York premiere of Make Believe. Written by Bess Wohl and directed by Michael Greif, Make Believe will feature Kim Fischer, Susannah Flood, Ryan Foust, Harrison Fox, Maren Heary, Casey Hilton, Brad Heberlee, and Samantha Mathis.

WP Theater and Second Stage Theater have announced casting for the world premiere of Alexis Scheer's OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD. Directed by Whitney White, the production will feature CARMEN BERKELEY, DANIEL DUQUE-ESTRADA, ALYSSA MAY GOLD, REBECCA JIMENEZ and MALIKA SAMUEL. One role remains to be cast and will be announced at a later date.

Second Stage Theater will soon present the New York premiere of MAKE BELIEVE. Written by Bess Wohl and directed by Michael Greif, MAKE BELIEVE will feature Kim Fischer, Susannah Flood, Ryan Foust, HARRISON FOX, MAREN HEARY, Brad Heberlee, and Samantha Mathis.The cast just met the press and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out photos from the big day!