MURDER BALLAD, Featuring Karen Olivo, Will Swenson and More, to Begin Previews Off-Broadway Today

The Off-Broadway production of MURDER BALLAD will start previews today, October 31, at 7:30 PM at The Studio at Stage II at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). MURDER BALLAD will play a limited five-week engagement, opening Thursday, November 15.

Manhattan Theatre Club's MURDER BALLAD, the new musical that is the inaugural production of MTC’s The Studio at Stage II – Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center – Stage II, has already been extended by one week through Sunday, December 2.

MURDER BALLAD is conceived by Jonathan Larson Award winner and two-time Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist Julia Jordan with book and lyrics by Jordan and music and lyrics by indie rock singer/songwriter Juliana Nash. Drama Desk Award nominee Trip Cullman (Paul Weitz’s Lonely, I’m Not; Adam Bock’s A Small Fire) directs.

MURDER BALLAD features four of New York’s most exciting musical theatre talents: Tony Award nominee John Ellison Conlee (“Parks & Rec,” The Full Monty), Rebecca Naomi Jones (American Idiot, Passing Strange), Tony Award winner Karen Olivo (West Side Story, In The Heights), and Tony Award nominee Will Swenson (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Hair).

A love triangle gone wrong, MURDER BALLAD centers on Sara, an Upper West Sider who seems to have it all, but whose downtown past lingers enticingly and dangerously in front of her. This sexy, explosive new musical explores the complications of love, the compromises we make, and the betrayals that can ultimately undo us.

The creative team for MURDER BALLAD includes: Mark Wendland (scenic design), Jessica Pabst (costume design), Ben Stanton (lighting design), Leon Rothenberg (sound design), Doug Varone (choreography), and Justin Levine (music director, vocal arranger and orchestrator).

In order to ensure that tickets to MURDER BALLAD are affordable to the widest possible, most diverse audiences, MTC is continuing the $30 pricing for all tickets during this extension week. Tickets are on sale via CityTix® (212-581-1212), www.nycitycenter.org and at the New York City Center Box Office.

For additional details on MURDER BALLAD and offers to all MTC shows, sign up for MTC’s “30 Under 30” program for theatergoers age 30 and under www.manhattantheatreclub.com/30under30.