Second Stage Theatre News

Tony Award-winner Julie White steps into the role of 'Masha' in Christopher Durang's new comedy, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, tonight, Tuesday, July 30. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike began performances on Tuesday, March 5 and opened on Thursday, March 14.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) extends its New York premiere musical comedy Murder For Two, with book and music by Joe Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair and directed by Scott Schwartz yet another week through August 25. Murder for Twofeatures Jeff Blumenkrantz (How to Succeed...) and Brett Ryback (The History Boys at Ahmanson). Previews began on July 10 and opening night was Thursday, July 25.

'Seasons' will be an eclectic mix of soul, r&b, pop and musical theatre standards pulled from the Contemporary American Songbook that will take concertgoers on a magical journey that explores all the Seasons Of Love. Recent Tony Award Winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots) will direct the show with James Sampliner (Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer) serving as Musical Director.

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!

Performances begin in three weeks for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's upcoming eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory July 29 - August 25, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St). First Look 2013 includes: Annie Bosh is Missing by Janine Nabers, directed by Shade Murray; Buena Vista by Edith Freni, directed byensemble member Tim Hopper; and The Gospel of Franklin by Aaron Carter, directed by Robert O'Hara. Scroll down for a sneak peek at Annie Bosh, Buena Vista and The Gospel of Franklin in rehearsal!

Second Stage Theatre is presenting the new musical comedy, NOBODY LOVES YOU, featuring Heath Calvert (world premiere of Nobody Loves You at the Old Globe Theatre), Bryan Fenkart (Memphis), Roe Hartrampf (Second Stage Theatre Uptown's The Bad Guys), Autumn Hurlbert(Legally Blonde), Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde, A Catered Affair), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages), Rory O'Malley (Tony nominee for The Book of Mormon) and Aleque Reid (Really Really). The show opened tonight, July 18, 2013. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Beth Morrison Projects (BMP) and HERE have announced programming for the second annual PROTOTYPE: Opera/Theatre/Now festival, running January 8-18, 2014.

Performances begin in three weeks for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's upcoming eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory July 29 - August 25, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St).

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) extends its New York premiere musical comedy Murder For Two, with book and music by Joe Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair and directed by Scott Schwartz prior to opening through August 17. Murder for Two features Jeff Blumenkrantz (How to Succeed…) and Brett Ryback (The History Boys at Ahmanson). Previews began on July 10 and opening night is Thursday, July 25.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Broadway returns to Bryant Park, NYMF is back for 2013, PIPPIN gets a cast album, and so much more!

Second Stage Theatre is presenting the new musical comedy, NOBODY LOVES YOU, featuring Heath Calvert (world premiere of Nobody Loves You at the Old Globe Theatre), Bryan Fenkart (Memphis), Roe Hartrampf (Second Stage Theatre Uptown's The Bad Guys), Autumn Hurlbert(Legally Blonde), Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde, A Catered Affair), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages), Rory O'Malley (Tony nominee for The Book of Mormon) and Aleque Reid (Really Really). BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!

The American Theatre Wing (William Ivey Long, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) is pleased to announce new appointments to its Board of Trustees and Advisory Committee.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents Madam Walker and the Divine Dream. Performances will take place on July 10th at 3:00PM & 7:00PM and July 13th at 8:00PM at The Studio at Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd Street). Starring Jennifer Fouche* (Off-Broadway's Sistas), Angela Grovey* (Broadway's Leap of Faith), two time Audelco Award Winner Juson Williams*, Kenya Lee*, Cheryl Gadsden, Annie Lee Moffett*, Carrie Compere* (Broadway bound Holler If You Hear Me, National tourShrek the Musical), Audelco nominated chandra thomas*, and Michael Roberts* (National and International tour West Side Story, Dreamgirls) . The book and lyrics are written by Steve Mackes and music by Joseph-Vernon Banks. Kevin Ray serves as music director and Bayo is stage manager.

To conclude its 45th season, Berkeley Repertory Theatre welcomes back a pair of acclaimed collaborators: Sarah Ruhl and Les Waters, the creators of Eurydice, Three Sisters, and In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), return to Berkeley Rep with another tale of love and longing in Dear Elizabeth.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced two upcoming performers at the all-new Feinstein's at the Nikko -- actor and comedian Bruce Vilanch and Tony Award nominated composers Pasek and Paul. Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko will present a wide range of entertainers all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. Bruce Vilanch will perform for one-night-only on Thursday, July 18th at 8 p.m. Pasek and Paul will perform two performances only - Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced yesterday the opening of productions developed at CST on four continents over the next several months, bringing new work from Chicago to theaters and festivals around the world. In addition to exporting its work, Chicago Shakespeare's World's Stage Series annually brings international artists to Chicago asserting the Theater's global mission.

THE LOUDEST MAN ON EARTH plays atTheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto July 10 - August 4. For tickets ($19-$73) and information the public may call (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced on June 28 the nine musicals selected to be part of the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Second Stage Theatre will present the new musical comedy, NOBODY LOVES YOU, featuring Heath Calvert (world premiere of Nobody Loves You at the Old Globe Theatre), Bryan Fenkart (Memphis), Roe Hartrampf (Second Stage Theatre Uptown's The Bad Guys), Autumn Hurlbert(Legally Blonde), Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde, A Catered Affair), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages), Rory O'Malley (Tony nominee for The Book of Mormon) and Aleque Reid (Really Really). Scroll down for photos from the first preview on June 20!

The original New York cast -- Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy, NYPD Blue, Private Practice), Beth Dixon, Virginia Kull, Kellie Overbey andLee Tergesen (Monster, Wayne's World, Weird Science) - are set for the West Coast premiere of Rapture, Blister, Burn, written by Gina Gionfriddo, in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, opening Wednesday, August 21, 2013 (previews begin August 13).