Second Stage Theatre News

Today's top stories: The Little Mermaid Live, Grand Horizons on Broadway, and more!

The Drama League has announced that award-winning actor, singer and dancer Sutton Foster is the Honoree at the 36th Annual Drama League Benefit Gala.

The Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation today announced the next round of guests confirmed for "Live at the Lortel," their podcast focused on Off-Broadway and the arts. Each taping lasts about 60 minutes - 45 minutes of moderated conversation and 15 minutes for audience questions.

Theatre for a New Audience founding artistic director Jeffrey Horowitz, having just received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 OBIEs, today announces TFANA's 40th anniversary season. The 2019-2020 programming exemplifies what makes TFANA, in the words of the OBIE committee, one of the city's most vital institutions championing adventurous and urgent productions of Shakespeare alongside other writers.

The B-A-R-N Barn Theatre brings together a gaggle of hilarious misfit adolescents who all have one thing in common, they love to spell! This wildly funny, fast-paced musical complete with audience participation, will have you rolling on the floor with laughter as you root for your favorite dictionary fanatic to take home first prize.

For the third consecutive year, The Old Globe will participate in the George L. Stevens Senior Center's annual Juneteenth Celebration by presenting an original work developed through The Old Globe's arts engagement program coLAB: The Ruby in Us, with book and music written by Karen Ann Daniels, Director of the Mobile Unit at New York's Public Theater. Music for the piece was composed by Brandon Cerquedo, and language for the performance was collaboratively evolved in a workshop setting at the Center with the senior community that hosts the annual celebration. Award-winning director Delicia Turner Sonnenberg (Skeleton Crew at the Globe, Globe Classical Directing Fellow) returns to helm this wonderful program alongside lauded jazz musician, musical theatre favorite, and The Ruby in Us music director Leonard Patton.

The League of Professional Theatre Women (Kelli Lynn Harrison and Catherine Porter, Co-Presidents), an organization which has been leading the gender parity conversation and championing women in the professional theatre for over 35 years, is pleased to announce that 2019 Tony Award-winner Andre De Shields (Hadestown) will host their inaugural Rachel Crothers Leadership Award Luncheon to honor Donna Walker-Kuhne, on Thursday, June 27 from 12-3pm at Sardi's Restaurant (234 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036). The event will also feature a special performance by LaChanze (2006 Tony Award winner for The Color Purple; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical). Tickets: Members $95; Non-Members $125.00; VIP tickets $175 (includes journal ad); VIP table $1,700 (with a journal ad). For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.theatrewomen.org.

I walk into the Guthrie Theater and I immediately see a pool of water built on the Wurtele Thrust Stage...and I immediately know I'm in for a theatrical treat. Metamorphoses, written and directed by the incomparable Mary Zimmerman, has taken Minneapolis by storm after its run in California (it's a co-production with Berkeley Rep). Our very own BWW Reviewer Karen Bovard called it '...a visual feast,'. As a captivated audience member and a performer, I was so hungry to know some of the thoughts of the show's ten ensemble members. Luckily, I was able to do so a few days later over a delightful phone call.

The UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance presents Monster, written by Ava Geyer and directed by Joseph Hendel, as part of the 2019 Wagner New Play Festival.

Rhinebeck Writers Retreat is producing a reading of the new musical THE TATTOOED LADY, book by Obie-winner Erin Courtney, music and lyrics by Lucille Lortel-winner Max Vernon, and direction by Ellie Heyman. THE TATTOOED LADY was selected for Rhinebeck Writers Retreat's Triple R program, giving the writers 2 readings and a residency to do extensive development of their musical in a compressed time frame.

Two-time Tony-winning actress, singer and dancer Sutton Foster extends her Cafe Carlyle run, June 25-29. She'll also be performing June 11-22. At Cafe Carlyle, she'll perform Broadway favorites and original recordings, focusing on selections from her new album, Take Me to the World, and stories of how being a mother of a two-year-old has informed her work and changed her life.

COCA-Center of Creative Arts announces that Jennifer Wintzer will join its leadership team as Artistic Director of Theatre.

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) are pleased to announce that the 25th annual Critics' Choice Awards will air LIVE on The CW Network on Sunday, January 12, 2020 (7:00-10:00p.m. Live ET/ Delayed PT), with acclaimed film, television, and stage star Taye Diggs returning as the event's host. The show will continue its combined Film and Television awards format, honoring the finest in both cinematic and televised/streaming achievement, and take place once again at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.

Broadway In Boston announced today that individual tickets for the Boston premiere of DEAR EVAN HANSEN will go on sale Sunday, March 24, 2019. Dear Evan Hansen will play the Citizens Bank Opera House July 10 - August 4 as part of the 2018-2019 Lexus Broadway In Boston Season.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Happy Friday! Finish off your week by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

Taye Diggs stopped by 'Busy Tonight' on Tuesday to talk about his CW series 'All American.' During the interview, Diggs proved he can improvise a catchy song about anything! 

The Drama League's 2019 Spring Charity Auction has launched, featuring more than twenty once-in-a-lifetime prize packages.

Dear Evan Hansen comes to Charlotte's Belk Theater March 19-24 as part of the 2018-2019 PNC Broadway Lights. In advance of the start of performances, the production announced today that it will host a digital ticket lottery offering fans the chance to purchase a limited number of $25 tickets available per performance.

Fountain Hills Theater announces the second production in their 2018-19 season-their 17th season as a full-time youth theater-"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," February 15-March 3, 2019. 

Below, BroadwayWorld continues our series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride!This time, check out photos of broadway favorite Kate Baldwin, currently starring in the Second Stage Theatre production of Superhero, as she poses at the Green Room 42.