Ars Nova News

Second Stage Theatre will begin the 2016 Uptown Series with the world premiere of Sofia Alvarez's FRIEND ART, directed by Portia Krieger. FRIEND ART will feature ZOE CHAO, AARON COSTA GANIS, ANABELLE LEMIEUX and Tony Award nominee CONSTANTINE MAROULIS (Rock of Ages, "American Idol"). FRIEND ART will begin previews on Tuesday, May 17th and will officially open on Thursday, May 26th. 

The YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE announces the two original book musicals which have been selected for this year's two-week summer lab:  Blessing, music and lyrics by Andrew R. Butler and book by Andrew Farmer, directed by Kent Nicholson; and The White City, music by Avi Amon and book and lyrics by Julia Gytri, directed by Mark Brokaw. The 2016 Institute, which runs June 12-25 at Yale School of Drama, will culminate with open rehearsal readings of each project, presented as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, on June 24 and 25.

The workshop of award-winning composer/lyricist/playwright/performer Max Vernon's new musical THE VIEW UPSTAIRS, directed by Scott Ebersold and with choreography by Spencer Liff and music direction by Matt Aument, will hold their industry presentations this week, starting today, March 31st, and continuing tomorrow, Friday, April 1st, in New York City.

This April, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond.

The Play Company (PlayCo), the NYC-based theater company that produces outstanding contemporary plays from around the world, brings together top chefs and theater artists for this year's Cabaret Gourmet, PlayCo's annual gala. Drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur and tastemaker, Questlove will be honored at the unique event, which features savory and sweet tasting dishes prepared by hand selected chefs from some of New York City's most celebrated restaurants, on the occasion of the publication of his forthcoming book somethingtofoodabout set for release the next day, April 12. The evening, which celebrates creativity in all its facets, will be MC'd by Tony nominee (Hand to God) and PlayCo alum (Enjoy, The Ugly One) Steven Boyer, with musical entertainment provided by indie pop band Sky-Pony.

PlayPenn, Philadelphia's nationally recognized professional new play development organization, will hold its 12th annual New Play Development Conference from July 5 - July 24 in Philadelphia at The Drake, a new home for new plays. The Conference, including three weeks of intensive work on six works-in-progress, will offer staged readings open to the public. The six selected plays and playwrights are:

The Huntington Theatre Company's 2016 Breaking Ground festival of new plays will be held April 14 - 17 at the Huntington's home for new work, the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA.

The Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible, starring Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, opens tonight, March 31, at the Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 West 48 Street. Scroll down to learn more about the full company!

Abrons Arts Center and New York City Players' American Playwrights Division present REALLY, a new play written by Jackie Sibblies Drury, directed by Richard Maxwell and designed by photographer Michael Schmelling.

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 18 categories for the 31st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Lortel Awards will be presented on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at NYU Skirball Center beginning at 7:00 PM EST. This year's event will once again benefit The Actors Fund.

Molly Pope -- brassy belter/whiskey guzzler/benevolent lunatic -- will return with the acclaimed concert MOLLY POPE LIKES YOUR STATUS for one night only at The Duplex (61 Christopher Street) today, March 31 at 9:30 PM.

In an opium den at the turn of the 20th century, Willow sacrifices her life to pay off her father's debt by working in an occult underground society called 'The Cave.' In this musical exploration of fairy tales, myths, and spiritualism, Willow fights to find light not only in the grim and strange shadow-world around her, but also within herself.

Broadwayworld.com interviewed Jess Chayes, director of The Assembly's World Premiere play, 'I Will Look Forward to This Later.' The show will be on the New Ohio Theatre stage from April 4th to April 23rd.

PlayMakers Repertory Company concludes its Mainstage Season with Stephen Sondheim's musical masterpiece 'Sweeney Todd,' onstage tonight, March 30, through April 23.

Full casting has been announced for the new musical THE GREAT COMET, featuring the Broadway debuts of 18 cast and creative team members including Josh Groban as 'Pierre' and Denee Benton as 'Natasha.' Created by Dave Malloy (Preludes, Ghost Quartet) and directed by Rachel Chavkin (Small Mouth Sounds, Preludes) - also making their Broadway debuts - THE GREAT COMET will blaze intoBroadway's Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street) beginning in the first week of October with opening night set for Monday, November 14, 2016.Ticketing info will be announced shortly. To sign up for news updates and presale ticketing opportunities, visit www.greatcometbroadway.com.

Full casting has been announced for the new musical THE GREAT COMET, featuring the Broadway debuts of 18 cast and creative team members including Josh Groban as 'Pierre' and Denee Benton as 'Natasha.' Created by Dave Malloy (Preludes, Ghost Quartet) and directed by Rachel Chavkin (Small Mouth Sounds, Preludes) - also making their Broadway debuts - THE GREAT COMET will blaze intoBroadway's Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street) beginning in the first week of October with opening night set for Monday, November 14, 2016.Ticketing info will be announced shortly. To sign up for news updates and presale ticketing opportunities, visit www.greatcometbroadway.com.

The Flea Theater is excited to welcome playwright Sarah Gancher with the world premiere of THE PLACE WE BUILT. Artistic Associate Danya Taymor (My Daughter Keeps Our Hammer, I Hate Mexicans) directs members of The Bats, The Flea's resident acting company, with music direction and arrangements by The Bengsons. Previews start April 14th, with opening night slated for April 25th.

Dramatists Guild Fund President Andrew Lippa and Executive Director Rachel Routh announce an upcoming Traveling Masters Program in Ashland, Oregon, with playwright Laura Jacqmin.

One of the most romantic stories ever written, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY won the 2014 Tony Awards® for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations. The musical adaptation of the best-selling novel and popular film will play at The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts April 26 - May 1. Tickets are on sale now.

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, beginning tonight, March 25, in Seattle.