Second Stage Theatre News

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.

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.

Yesterday, Variety's Women in Theatre Report was ripe with reports on some of the industry's most accomplished women, on stage and off. Among the accomplished talents featured were Sigourney Weaver, Anne Hathaway, Lynn Nottage, Diane Paulus, Alice Ripley, Karen Olivo, and Sonia Friedman

The fear that coming out in public spells box office poison for a marquee-desiring actor is at the center of Douglas Carter Beane's THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, presented by Theatre Out, Orange County's gay and lesbian theatre. The play, which received a Tony® Award nomination for Best Play in 2007, is chock-full of witty, Hollywood-insider laughs and a continuous barrage of funny monologues (even touching and poignant at times) from each character. This particular production of the hilariously written play, which originated as a workshop presentation at the University of California at Irvine, gives its foursome of actors plenty of great lines to deliver.

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. Tickets go on sale today, August 31.

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.

Thirteen theatres (13) theatres and ten (10) individuals have been selected to participate in the ninth round of the New Generations Program, a grant initiative cooperatively designed by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Theatre Communications Group (TCG). In nine rounds of the program, over $12.5 million in grants have been awarded to over 200 theatres in support of three grant objectives.

Channeling a dramatic range of interview subjects, from artists and athletes to doctors and those they treat, LET ME DOWN EASY is a virtuosic and moving exploration of the power of the body and the resilience of the human spirit, featuring first person accounts from a wide variety of sources, including Lance Armstrong, and former Texas Governor Ann Richards.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) kicks off its 2009/2010 Season with the World Premiere of THE RETRIBUTIONISTS, a new play by Daniel Goldfarb (Modern Orthodox, Adam Baum and the Jew Movie). The production will begin previews on Friday, August 21 with an Opening Night set for Tuesday, September 15 at 7PM. The limited engagement will run through Sunday, September 27 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

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.

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.

Partial Comfort Productions (nami, Battle of the Bards) presents the World Premiere of THE BEREAVED by Thomas Bradshaw, directed by May Adrales. Previews begin September 2nd at The Wild Project where Partial Comfort is in its 1st season as a resident company. Opening night is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9th.

Partial Comfort Productions (nami, Battle of the Bards) presents the World Premiere of THE BEREAVED by Thomas Bradshaw, directed by May Adrales. Previews begin September 2nd at The Wild Project where Partial Comfort is in its 1st season as a resident company. Opening night is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9th.

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.

Original cast member AARON TVEIT will return to the Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal on Monday, September 7 at 8:00pm. Tveit, who originated the role of Gabe in the off-Broadway and Broadway productions of the acclaimed musical, was on a leave of absence this summer to star in the World Premiere production of Catch Me If You Can.