Second Stage Theater Announces New Season Beginning Fall 2021

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 5/7/21 at 1:11pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Second-Stage-Theater-Announces-New-Season-Beginning-Fall-2021-Featuring-CLYDES-TAKE-ME-OUT-and-More-20210507

FLIP THE SCRIPT

In the spirit of welcoming new audiences, a new subscription package, Flip the Script, is available to those ages 30 and under. All five productions, three Broadway and two Off-Broadway, can be purchased for $140. See 2st.com for details.

AT THE HAYES

Second Stage's Hayes Theater on Broadway, will reopen with the New York premiere of CLYDE'S by Lynn Nottage, who was first commissioned and produced by 2ST nearly three decades ago, directed by Nottage's frequent collaborator, Kate Whoriskey. Performances begin on Broadway in fall 2021.

 

The Hayes Theater will then feature the highly anticipated production of Richard Greenberg's Tony Award-winning play, TAKE ME OUT, which had been postponed due to the current Broadway suspension. Put on pause mid-rehearsals, cast and crew were sent home for what was anticipated to be a matter of weeks that turned into many months, the production will be given a second chance to return in spring 2022.

Lastly, Second Stage will close out the season with the return of the Pulitzer Prize-winning BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Guirgis' original collaborator, Austin Pendleton. Previously produced at Second Stage's Off-Broadway home to critical acclaim, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY will make its Broadway Premiere at the Hayes Theater in fall of 2022.

AT THE KISER

The inaugural Off-Broadway production of Second Stage Theater's 2021 - 2022 Season will feature the previously announced return of commissioned playwright Rajiv Joseph, whose play Animals Out of Paper was produced at Second Stage's Uptown space in 2008 featuring an origami whiz named Suresh. That character returns in the world premiere of LETTERS OF SURESH, a story of connection, directed by May Adrales in fall 2021 at the Kiser Theater.

 

The season will continue Off-Broadway with the world premiere comedy, a new play about chosen family, TO MY GIRLS, by Second Stage commissioned playwright JC Lee and directed by Stephen Brackett. Performances will begin at the Kiser Theater in spring of 2022.

 

Subscriptions are now available. To purchase a subscription, please visit 2ST.com or call 212-246-4422.

Single tickets will go on-sale in June 2021.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 5/7/21 at 1:56pm

This was some very welcome news this Friday afternoon! I'm looking just as forward (if not more) to these Off-Broadway announcements as I am Broadway's reopenings.

Also worth noting that JC Lee's To My Girls seems to be the first play with a pandemic/post-pandemic-inspired narrative announced for a major NYC stage:

"Is there anything more fabulous than Palm Springs after the end of the world? For one tight group of gay men, a post-pandemic getaway is the perfect chance to reunite, reclaim their time and replace the gloom with some gossip. But as soon as the drinks start pouring, truths start spilling and this chosen family quickly realizes the world has changed. So, here's to navigating evolving friendships and getting things straight...kind of."

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 5/7/21 at 4:31pm

Anyone see the earlier iteration of the Nottage play at the Guthrie? I’m quite intrigued.

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 5/7/21 at 5:22pm

JFC folks, can we hold off for a season for pandemic stories?

I’m happy to subscribe as I don’t want to miss out on Take Me Out and I have no clue if it will become a hot ticket.

Now I’m just waiting on news from Roundabout….

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/7/21 at 5:26pm

Then simply don't see To My Girls? Not really that difficult. 

Great lineup, looking forward. 

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/7/21 at 7:48pm

BroadwayGuy12 said: "This was some very welcome news this Friday afternoon! I'm looking just asforward (if not more) to these Off-Broadway announcements as I am Broadway's reopenings.

Also worth notingthat JC Lee'sTo My Girlsseems to bethe firstplay with a pandemic/post-pandemic-inspired narrative announced for a major NYC stage:

"Is there anything more fabulous than Palm Springs after the end of the world? For one tight group of gay men, a post-pandemic getaway is the perfect chance to reunite, reclaim their time and replace the gloom with some gossip. But as soon as the drinks start pouring, truths start spilling and this chosen family quickly realizes the world has changed. So, here's to navigating evolving friendships and getting things straight...kind of.""

I think this is the premise of 80% of gay plays. Gathering of gays, add alcohol, wind them up and let them go. Jesus, does anyone have an original concept for gay men? I’m sure there will be one of each archetype too. Straight audiences love that.

And Sutton before you come for me and tell me not to see it, please note I’m just expressing an opinion on the treatment listed above. It’s a theatre message board and last I checked those are still allowed.  

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/7/21 at 7:51pm

I would never come for you, I respect your opinion completely. You make great contributions and are funny.

I agree with you. What other things would you like to see in what you call "gay plays"? I'm just curious, as a straight woman.

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 5/7/21 at 8:10pm

I never said it was difficult? I was making a comment like everyone else on this board does.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/7/21 at 9:04pm

Sutton Ross said: "I would never come for you, I respect your opinion completely. You make great contributions and are funny.

I agree with you. What other things would you like to see in what you call "gay plays"? I'm just curious, as a straight woman. "

Sutton, you’ve come for me a few times so I apologize for my hypervigilance. I assumed (bad I know) that you were gonna give it to me. My apologies. 

I really love any stories of LGBTQ people that ring true. Stories that show us new aspects of their identity or life. I’ll hold my judgment until the play opens but it reads like a million other pieces. It just sounds so uninspired. If that were read in a pitch meeting Id roll my eyes. Oh, drunk queens playing nice until someone stirs the pot and truths come out. Groundbreaking. 
 

Thank you for asking. As a gay man reading a treatment like that just sounds dated and uninteresting based on the fact that I’ve seen a lot of gay theater over the years and based on my life experiences. That isn’t to say the play won’t be entertaining but many plays about oppressed populations don’t appeal to the population featured because it’s a retread they are very tired of. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 5/8/21 at 8:12am

The first place my non-circuit party gay friends visited after their vaccinations kicked in was Palm Springs for a weekend, so the "stereotype" still rings true for many and as such, is fair fodder for a play.

[BJR]

Posted: 5/8/21 at 9:13am

Y'all have the wrong idea of that play. Happen to have read it and it's hilarious and timely. Not pandemic focused at all. It just takes place now.

As for LGBTQ stories, many guys still go to Palm Springs, many drink with their friends, most *plays* are structured on confrontation and relationships being tested.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/8/21 at 1:26pm

JasonC3 said: "The first place my non-circuit party gay friends visited after their vaccinations kicked in was Palm Springs for a weekend, so the "stereotype" still rings true for many and as such, is fair fodder for a play."

I guess stereotypes are a real time saver, hm?

In all seriousness Dollypop, thanks for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated. Especially that "many plays about oppressed populations don’t appeal to the population featured because it’s a retread they are very tired of.". I have never had that experience, obviously, and I sincerely hope going forward that more LGBTQIA+ stories can be told with topics that have yet to be presented on stage. 

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/8/21 at 2:49pm

BettyBoy, I see your point, but for ever "Boys in the Band" there's an "Angels in America." People sitting around and talking is like MOST plays straight or gay. I too am personally over the "dinner party" thing, but it's an easy structure to put on stage. One set, one location, etc. 

[jvoom]

Posted: 5/8/21 at 3:04pm

Super happy to see Guirgis back on Broadway. Hopefully "Halfway Bitches.." get's a second life soon too. I believe there were plans for a comeback prior to covid

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 5/8/21 at 3:33pm

RippedMan said: "BettyBoy, I see your point, but for ever "Boys in the Band" there's an "Angels in America." People sitting around and talking is like MOST plays straight or gay. I too am personally over the "dinner party" thing, but it's an easy structure to put on stage. One set, one location, etc."

I didn't love it, but I suppose Significant Other broke that format. Though, for obvious reasons, it wasn't about a group of characters. I do wish fewer plays involved alcohol. There are other reasons for the characters to fight or for tensions to come to a head.