Second Stage Theatre News

Geva Theatre Center's 2009/10 Season continues with THE CLEAN HOUSE by Sarah Ruhl, which opens on October 13 and runs on the Mainstage through November 8.

MADISON STREET PRODUCTIONS in association with BOO-Arts PRODUCTIONS are pleased to announce their production of the 2008 Midtown International Theatre Festival nominated play, PENANG by James L. Larocca, directed by Donya K. Washington.

Dael Orlandersmith takes Chicago audiences on an electrifying journey through the spirit and soul of Harlem in her explosive solo piece Stoop Stories at Goodman Theatre. Hailed a 'triumph' (Washington City Paper) in its world premiere at Washington, D.C.'s Studio Theatre this past spring, Stoop Stories comes to Chicago directed by Obie Award-winner Jo Bonney.

Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) opens its 2009-2010 season with THE MASTER BUILDER by Henrik Ibsen, translated by Paul Walsh, directed by Evan Yionoulis at the University Theatre (222 York Street), September 18-October 10. Opening night is Thursday, September 24.

Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) opens its 2009-2010 season with THE MASTER BUILDER by Henrik Ibsen, translated by Paul Walsh, directed by Evan Yionoulis at the University Theatre (222 York Street), September 18-October 10. Opening night is Thursday, September 24.

Marymount Manhattan College Theatre Arts Division (Mary Fleisher, department Chair) will present Girl Gone by Mac William Hopkins from October 21 - October 25. Tickets go on sale today.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) launched its 31st season with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY began preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and officially opened on Wednesday, October 7th.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) launched its 31st season with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY began preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and officially opened on Wednesday, October 7th.

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will continue its Marx Theatre season with a new version of Chekhov's THREE SISTERS by Sarah Ruhl, author of THE CLEAN HOUSE. John Doyle, the Tony Award-winning director of COMPANY will helm the production.

American Express will sponsor the upcoming Second Stage Theatre production of Let Me Down Easy, conceived, written and performed by Anna Deavere Smith.

Drama Desk Award-winner Everett Quinton (Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theatrical Company), Michael Winther (33 Variations, Damn Yankees, 1776, and Mamma Mia! on Broadway), and Marlon Sherman (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast on Broadway) are set to star in Max Understood, running at the 45th Street Theatre in the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Marlon Sherman will be playing the title role of Max.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will launch its 31st season this fall with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY will begin preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and will officially open on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:45pm.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will launch its 31st season this fall with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY will begin preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and will officially open on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:45pm.

The world premiere of Rajiv Joseph's (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) Gruesome Playground Injuries features Selma Blair (Hellboy, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, Storytelling, Legally Blonde, NBC's Kath & Kim) playing Kayleen and Brad Fleischer (Center Theatre Group's premiere of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Broadway's Coram Boy, Off Broadway's Streamers) playing Doug.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to have Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine return to Studio 54 with Sondheim on Sondheim, a new original Broadway musical starring Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams, Michael Arden & Leslie Kritzer. Music & lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim, conceived & directed by James Lapine. Sondheim on Sondheim will begin previews on March 19th, 2010 and open officially April 22nd, 2010 at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). This will be a limited engagement through Sunday, June 13th, 2010.

Page 73 Productions (Liz Jones and Asher Richelli, Executive Directors) and New Georges (Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director; Sarah Cameron Sunde, Associate Director) will present the world premiere of Heidi Schreck's riveting new play "Creature," directed by Leigh Silverman. This Off Broadway engagement will be performed at the Ohio Theatre, 66 Wooster Street (between Spring and Broome Streets). Previews begin on Tuesday, October 27, and the official Opening Night will be Monday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m. Performances will run through November 21.

Page 73 Productions (Liz Jones and Asher Richelli, Executive Directors) and New Georges (Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director; Sarah Cameron Sunde, Associate Director) will present the world premiere of Heidi Schreck's riveting new play 'CREATURE,' directed by Leigh Silverman.

Drama Desk Award-winner Everett Quinton (Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theatrical Company), Michael Winther (33 Variations, Damn Yankees, 1776, and Mamma Mia! on Broadway), and Marlon Sherman (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast on Broadway) are set to star in Max Understood, running at the 45th Street Theatre in the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Marlon Sherman will be playing the title role of Max.

Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley, currently starring in Broadway's NEXT TO NORMAL, had her caricature unveiled at the world famous Sardi's Restaurant on March 3rd. Ripley's likeness joined the ranks of Broadway royalty who have been honored with a caricature on the famous walls of Sardi's. BroadwayWorld joined the fun as Alice's caricature was put up on the famous wall!

American Express will sponsor the upcoming Second Stage Theatre production of Let Me Down Easy, conceived, written and performed by Anna Deavere Smith.