Second Stage Theatre News

The Clockwork Theatre is pleased to announce the cast for their upcoming production of CHERRY SMOKE by JAMES McMANUS (winner of the 2006 Princess Grace Playwriting Award), directed by JADE KING CARROLL. The title role of Cherry will be portrayed by MARIANNA McCLELLAN, with JAY ROHLOFF playing opposite her in the role of Fish. Mr. Rohloff, who serves as Clockwork's Artistic Director, was most recently seen in the company's revival of Caryl Churchill's A Number at Theatre Row in September, 2008, for which he received praise for portraying a man and two very unique clones of that man.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts celebrates the 12th Anniversary of the Millennium Stage on January 31, 2009 with 'Broadway Today'-a star-studded, free concert, produced by Michael A. Kerker and presented in cooperation with ASCAP, in the Opera House as a part of the Center's season-long artistic initiative Broadway: The Third Generation. With the composers at the piano, original cast members and Broadway stars perform signature songs that made these artists household names. Free tickets are required. Tickets will be given away one (1) per person in line in front of the Opera House beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre greets the new year by proudly presenting its 50th world premiere, a new comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity from the creators of Eurydice. Celebrated playwright Sarah Ruhl and Obie Award-winning director Les Waters come together again for the debut of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Commissioned by Berkeley Rep and staged in the state-of-the-art Roda Theatre, this hotly anticipated play begins previews on January 30, opens February 4, and closes March 15. BART and Wells Fargo serve as season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre, and the executive producer for this show is the Strauch Kulhanjian Family.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce $20 Student Rush Tickets available 30 minutes prior to curtain for all performances of the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. Performances Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Regular tickets prices are $45.00; $30 for seniors. After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org.

YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA (James Bundy, Dean; Victoria Nolan, Deputy Dean) presents the musical JELLY'S LAST JAM, book by George C. Wolfe, lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, music by Jelly Roll Morton and Luther Henderson, directed by Patricia McGregor, February 13-18 at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven).

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production began previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continued Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002. '...the play condenses five years of personal history into ... raw, emotional theatre... I don't know of a more affecting (and effective) testament to the precious human spirit than this gorgeous, compact drama.' - nytheatre.com review of the original short play

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production began previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continued Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002. '...the play condenses five years of personal history into ... raw, emotional theatre... I don't know of a more affecting (and effective) testament to the precious human spirit than this gorgeous, compact drama.' - nytheatre.com review of the original short play

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production begins previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002.

Vital Theatre Company recently announced the rolling world premiere of Looking For The Pony by Andrea Lepcio, directed by Stephan Golux and featuring J. Smith-Cameron, Deidre O'Connell, Lori Funk and Debargo Sanyal. The production begins previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, Looking For The Pony will also be presented at Synchronicity Performance Group in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY has announced the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production previews on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd at 7pm, and opens on Friday, January 23rd at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th.

Vital Theatre Company recently announced the rolling world premiere of Looking For The Pony by Andrea Lepcio, directed by Stephan Golux and featuring J. Smith-Cameron, Deidre O'Connell, Lori Funk and Debargo Sanyal. The production begins previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, Looking For The Pony will also be presented at Synchronicity Performance Group in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org.

Tom Kitt (composer) and Brian Yorkey's (Book writer and lyricist) rock musical Next to Normal closed on January 18th at Arena Stage in Washington, DC but, the show's fans have reason to rejoice with the news that Sh-K-Boom Records will be recording the cast this February for release on CD. Kitt and Yorkey's musical which focuses on a family in crisis follows a high-profile Off-Broadway run at Second Stage Theatre. The collaborators include Kitt, Yorkey, director Michael Grief, and choreographer Sergio A.Trujillo. Next to Normal chronicles the story of a mentally unstable mother and the waves she creates in the lives of her husband and daughter and stars Tony Award nominee Alice Ripley (Side Show), who returns to the project as mom Diana.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Richard M. Parison, Jr., Producing Director, announce the theatre?s 15th Anniversary Season. Opening on the Mainstage will be Rodgers and Hammerstein?s musical masterpiece Carousel from June 17 through July 11. BSC will present its first thriller, the Tony Award-winning play Sleuth by Anthony Shaffer, from July 16 through August 1. Tennessee Williams? landmark play A Streetcar Named Desire will conclude the Mainstage summer season from August 6 through 29. The Mainstage fall show will be announced at a later date. On Stage 2, receiving its world premiere is Mark St. Germain?s Freud?s Last Session from June 10 through 28. Glen Berger?s hit Off-Broadway play Underneath the Lintel will play on Stage 2 from July 8 though 26.

A musical about depression? Yes. You'll not only enjoy it, you may even learn something.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Six Degrees of Separation, by John Guare (The House of Blue Leaves, Landscape of the Body), directed by Trip Cullman, to run in the Old Globe Theatre January 10 - February 15 (press opening: Thursday, January 15 at 8pm). Broadway veteran Karen Ziemba, who will play 'Ouisa,' won the Tony for the musical Contact and was nominated for her work in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance and Curtains!.

Jurors for The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) for the 2009 Next Link Project will include lyricist Susan Birkenhead, composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown, producer Robyn Goodman, and director Francesca Zambello. The New York Musical Theater Festival is currently accepting open submissions for its Next Link Project for the sixth annual festival taking place September 28 ? October 18, 2009. Twelve of the Festival?s full production slots are reserved for participants in The Next Link Project, NYMF?s primary writer service program. The Next Link Project empowers emerging musical theatre writing teams as both artists and entrepreneurs by providing the training and relationships needed to help them move their musicals from mere readings to fully-realized productions and to advance their careers by maximizing the exposure they receive in the Festival. A meet and greet to answer any questions from those interested in applying will be held Wednesday, January 28, 6-8pm at the Irish Rogue (356 West 44th Street, between 8th and 9th Ave). NYMF staff members will be on hand to answer questions about the Next Link Project submissions process and chat about other ways to get involved with the Festival.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts celebrates the 12th Anniversary of the Millennium Stage on January 31, 2009 with 'Broadway Today'-a star-studded, free concert, produced by Michael A. Kerker and presented in cooperation with ASCAP, in the Opera House as a part of the Center's season-long artistic initiative Broadway: The Third Generation. With the composers at the piano, original cast members and Broadway stars perform signature songs that made these artists household names. Free tickets are required. Tickets will be given away one (1) per person in line in front of the Opera House beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Six Degrees of Separation, by John Guare (The House of Blue Leaves, Landscape of the Body), directed by Trip Cullman, to run in the Old Globe Theatre January 10 - February 15 (press opening: Thursday, January 15 at 8pm). Broadway veteran Karen Ziemba, who will play 'Ouisa,' won the Tony for the musical Contact and was nominated for her work in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance and Curtains!.

Due to overwhelming ticket demand, Second Stage Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Gina Gionfriddo's comedy, BECKY SHAW, has extended six weeks, through March 15. Directed by Peter DuBois, BECKY SHAW features David Wilson Barnes, Emily Bergl, Kelly Bishop, Annie Parisse, and Thomas Sadoski. The production opened on Thursday, January 8 and was originally scheduled to run through February 1. Tickets are available through www.2ST.com or by calling 212-246-4422. Second Stage Theatre is located at 307 West 43rd street.

Due to overwhelming ticket demand, Second Stage Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Gina Gionfriddo's comedy, BECKY SHAW, has extended six weeks, through March 15.