Second Stage Theatre News

Acclaimed actress Anna Aimee White takes on the role of Ginger Rogers in Backwards In High Heels:The Ginger Musical, the captivating story of the star's journey from her hometown to Hollywood and from one love affair to another.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) proudly presented the return of The Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular on Friday, December 17, Saturday December 18 and Sunday, December 19, 2010. Joe Iconis and cast members from his musical, Bloodsong of Love, were joined by a merry band of musical theater punks in the third annual insane celebration of all things red and green. The event featured brand new holiday songs, old favorites, tiny elves, enormous reindeer, an inebriated Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and an ungodly number of candy canes.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is delighted to present The Arabian Nights, written and directed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman (Metamorphoses). The production, presented in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Lookingglass Theatre Company, has been recognized as 'Zimmerman's most theatrically complete and perfect creation' (Chicago Tribune). The Arabian Nights explores the humanity that people across all cultures share, as told through a whimsical, imaginative and compelling story. The Arabian Nights runs January 14-February 20, 2011 in the Fichandler Stage.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) proudly announces the return of The Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular. Joe Iconis and cast members from his musical, Bloodsong of Love, are joined by a merry band of musical theater punks in this third annual insane celebration of all things red and green. Featuring brand new holiday songs, old favorites, tiny elves, enormous reindeer, an inebriated Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and an ungodly number of candy canes, it promises to be the happiest holiday hoedown you?ve ever seen.

According to Deadline.com, stage and screen star Bill Pullman will join BBC's TORCHWOOD for it's fourth season. Pullman will star as Oswald Jones, 'a dangerously clever convicted murderer who escapes his lifelong prison sentence on a technicality and quickly becomes a media sensation.'

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) is accepting submissions for its 23rd Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place in New York in fall 2011. Submission information and the online application are available at www.namt.org.

The Huntington Theatre Company continues its 29th season with the world premiere of Bob Glaudini's Vengeance is the Lord's, directed by Peter DuBois.

Philadelphia Theatre Company spells F-U-N when it opens its 35th Anniversary mainstage season with the multiple Tony Award winner The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, and conceived by Rebecca Feldman, running November 12-December 12 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS will play only 24 performances between December 11 and December 30. Tickets are on sale now exclusively to Berkeley Rep's subscribers and donors. Seats go on sale to the general public later this fall.

Casting has been completed for the Broadway premiere of Rajiv Joseph's play BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO - set to begin previews March 11 and open March 31 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 W. 46 St.), starring Robin Williams in his Broadway acting debut - it has been announced by the play's producers Robyn Goodman, Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Center Theatre Group.

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the casting of Tony and Emmy Award nominee Jeffrey DeMunn as Willy Loman in the Globe's upcoming revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. DeMunn currently stars as Dale in the hit AMC TV series 'The Walking Dead' and was nominated for a Tony Award for his harrowing performance in the Broadway production of K2. The complete cast will be announced at a later date. Directed by Pam MacKinnon, Death of a Salesman will run in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre Jan. 22 - Feb. 27. Preview performances run Jan. 22 - Jan. 26. Opening night is Jan. 27 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

Juilliard's Drama Division announced the complete schedule for its 2010-2011 season of fully-staged productions featuring students in their fourth and final year of acting training at Juilliard. This season's plays include Lorraine Hansberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN, directed by Jade King Carroll, October 20-24; David Auburn's PROOF, directed by Harris Yulin, November 11-15; and Chekhov's THE SEAGULL, directed by Richard Feldman, December 9-13.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that full casting is complete for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Amanda McBroom (lyrics) and Michele Brourman (music).

Alice Ripley, Asa Somers, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey talk about Next to Normal - playing NOW at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, through January 2nd only!

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced principal casting for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Amanda McBroom (lyrics) and Michele Brourman (music). Joining the principal cast, with previously announced lead actress Jenny Powers (Broadway's Grease) as Veronica Franco, are James Snyder (Drama League Award-nominee for Broadway's Crybaby) as Marco, Bryce Ryness (Drama Desk Award-nominee for Broadway's Tony Award-winning revival of Hair) as Maffio, Laila Robins (Broadway's Heartbreak House) as Paola, Michael Rupert (Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Sweet Charity) as Domenico, Megan McGinnis (Ovation Award-nominee for the Rubicon Theatre's Daddy Long Legs) as Beatrice, John Antony (Broadway's Passion) as Pietro and Morgan Weed (Second Stage Theatre's Next to Normal) as Giulia. Tony Award-nominee Sheryl Kaller directs the world premiere, which begins performances on February 1, 2011 with the official press opening on February 13, 2011 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) proudly announces the return of The Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular. Joe Iconis and cast members from his musical, Bloodsong of Love, are joined by a merry band of musical theater punks in this third annual insane celebration of all things red and green. Featuring brand new holiday songs, old favorites, tiny elves, enormous reindeer, an inebriated Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and an ungodly number of candy canes, it promises to be the happiest holiday hoedown you?ve ever seen.

Bay Area Cabaret audiences will get a first look at the national tour concert ADAM & ANTHONY LIVE starring Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. After 15 years of friendship and co-starring roles in Jonathan Larsen's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent, these two iconic Broadway stars are coming together to bring fans what they've been waiting for: an up-close-and-personal concert featuring their individual work as well as fan-favorite numbers from the production that rocketed them to international stardom. The concert plays one night only 7pm, Sunday, November 21, 2010 in the Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco. For tickets ($20 students under 21/ $35 subscribers / $40 general) call City Box Office (415) 392-4400 or visit www.bayareacabaret.org. A limited number of attendees will be treated to a post-show party with the artists. For reservations ($75) to the post-show party, call Bay Area Cabaret at 415-927-4636.

The Huntington Theatre Company continues its 29th season with the world premiere of Bob Glaudini's Vengeance is the Lord's, directed by Peter DuBois.

Tickets to BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO - the new American play by Rajiv Joseph and starring Robin Williams in his Broadway acting debut - will go on-sale to the general public starting Wednesday, November 17.

Alice Ripley, who received the 2009 Tony Award® for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning Next to Normal, will reprise her acclaimed performance in the musical's 36-week multi-city North American tour, launching in November. It will play in San Diego January 18 - 23, 2011 at the Balboa Theatre, as a Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation.