Tony Kiser News

RON RIFKIN, whose performance as Isaac Geldhart in the original production of The Substance of Fire earned him critical accolades as well as the Obie, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Drama-Logue awards, will step into the role for five performances only, May 20 - 23, at Second Stage Theatre. The production's current star, JOHN NOBLE, is unable to perform those performances due to an unforeseen conflict with the filming schedule for his Fox series, Sleepy Hollow. Mr. Noble is scheduled to return for the final weekend of performances, May 24 and 25.

Second Stage Theatre's 35th Anniversary Gala celebration will honor Carole Rothman, Artistic Director of Second Stage Theatre, for her 35 years of supporting new works and artistic development in New York City theatre. This year's rock n' roll themed gala will be attended by over 250 Second Stage Alumni who have worked at Second Stage Theatre during the past 35 years, from Brooke Adams and Polly Draper who appeared in the very first season, to cast members from the currently running The Substance of Fire and the upcoming American Hero which will make its New York premiere this summer at Second Stage Uptown. Special guests participating in the evening's festivities include Lynn Nottage, Cynthia Nixon, Tony Goldwyn, and more. Co-Chairs for this year's gala are Tony James, Tony Kiser, and George Loening.

Written by Jon Robin Baitz and directed by Trip Cullman, THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE is now in previews and officially opens on Sunday, April 27 at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre, (305 West 43rd Street). Tickets are available through 2ST.com or by calling the box office at 212-246-4422. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Dogfight, featuring music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Peter Duchan, is now available for licensing through Music Theatre International. For additional information, visit: http://www.mtishows.com

Currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary Season, Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced complete casting for its upcoming production of LAURA EASON's drama, SEX WITH STRANGERS, directed by DAVID SCHWIMMER. The company will feature Emmy Award-Winner ANNA GUNN (Breaking Bad) as Olivia and Tony Award-Nominee BILLY MAGNUSSEN (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) as Ethan.

Second Stage Theatre will continue to celebrate its 35th Anniversary Season by once again offering its popular retro prices ($19.79 - the year in which the Company was founded) as well as audience perks for all of the productions this season.

Second Stage Theatre has announced the two plays which will be presented as part of the company's twelfth annual Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series this summer: Bess Wohl's American Hero, directed by Leigh Silverman and Mala Hierba by Tanya Saracho, directed by Jerry Ruiz.

Second Stage Theatre's production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, begins performances tonight, February 11.

Second Stage Theatre has announced that JON ROBIN BAITZ's drama, THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE, will be part of the company's current 35th Anniversary season. Directed by TRIP CULLMAN, THE SUBSTANCE OF FIREwill begin preview performances on Tuesday, April 22 and officially open on Monday, May 12. Casting and the full creative team will be announced at a later date.

Second Stage Theatre will continue to celebrate its 35th Anniversary Season by once again offering its popular retro prices ($19.79 - the year in which the Company was founded) as well as audience perks for all of the productions this season. When these tickets went on sale for the season's first production, Little Miss Sunshine, the entire allotment sold out in under 2 hours.

Grammy Award-nominated musician Nelson Gonzalez has joined the creative team of the upcoming Second Stage Theatre production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Mr. Gonzalez, who is widely considered the master of the Cuban Tres guitar, will oversee the production's musical elements and will lead a live band during performances.

Currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary Season, Second Stage Theatre closes its production of James Lapineand William Finn's new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE today, Sunday, December 15. The musical has broken box office records for Second Stage Theatre, earning the highest pre-opening advance in the company's 35-year history.

The Lark Play Development Center in collaboration with Mexico's National Fund for Culture and Arts (FONCA) is pleased to announce the 2013 Mexico/ U.S. Playwright Exchange Program. For the eighth year the Lark will host playwrights from Mexico and pair them with bilingual U.S. playwrights, actors, and directors for a ten day cultural exploration that establishes ongoing channels of communication between artists in both countries.

The Lark Play Development Center in collaboration with Mexico's National Fund for Culture and Arts (FONCA) is pleased to announce the 2013 Mexico/ U.S. Playwright Exchange Program. For the eighth year the Lark will host playwrights from Mexico and pair them with bilingual U.S. playwrights, actors, and directors for a ten day cultural exploration that establishes ongoing channels of communication between artists in both countries.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director), currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary season, has announced the complete cast for its upcoming production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by 2012 Pulitzer Prize winnerQuiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The company will feature ANTHONY CHISHOLM (Radio Golf, Jitney), DARIUSH KASHANI (Homebody/Kabul), TONY PLANA (Ugly Betty), ARMANDO RIESCO (2ST's Water by the Spoonful), ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ (Motherf***er with the Hat, Orange is the New Black), and ANNAPURNA SRIRAM (Pericles at Berkeley Rep).

Currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary Season, Second Stage Theatre will extend its production of James Lapine and William Finn's new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, by one week, now playing through Sunday, December 15. The musical has broken box office records for Second Stage Theatre, earning the highest pre-opening advance in the company's 35-year history.

Second Stage Theatre will celebrate its upcoming 35th Anniversary Season with special retro prices and audience perks throughout the season.

This is the last week to see the new musical comedy, NOBODY LOVES YOU, at Second Stage Theatre. The production, which Newsday calls,"Delightful - a refreshing, 90-minute musical for a hot summer night," features book and lyrics by Itamar Moses, music and lyrics by Gaby Alter, choreography by Mandy Moore, and direction by Michelle Tattenbaum. NOBODY LOVES YOU is playing at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd Street). For subscription or ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com.

In today's New York Times 'In Performance' video, Tony nominated actor Rory O'Malley performs 'The Twitter Song,' from his new Off Broadway musical NOBODY LOVES YOU. Check it out here!

Featuring book and lyrics by Itamar Moses, music and lyrics by Gaby Alter, choreography by MAndy Moore, and direction by Michelle Tattenbaum, NOBODY LOVES YOU began previews on Thursday, June 20 and officially opened last night, Thursday, July 18 at Second Stage Theatre's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld wa sthere for opening night and you can check out photos from the after party below!