Second Stage News

Big Wig Productions will team up with Burning Coal Theatre Company to present the North Carolina premiere of Diane Samuels' Kindertransport, directed by Brian Yandle, tonight, November 14 - 24, 2013 at Burning Coal's Murphey School Auditorium, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director), currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary season, has announced the complete cast for its upcoming production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by 2012 Pulitzer Prize winnerQuiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The company will feature ANTHONY CHISHOLM (Radio Golf, Jitney), DARIUSH KASHANI (Homebody/Kabul), TONY PLANA (Ugly Betty), ARMANDO RIESCO (2ST's Water by the Spoonful), ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ (Motherf***er with the Hat, Orange is the New Black), and ANNAPURNA SRIRAM (Pericles at Berkeley Rep).

Following a season of new accolades, renovating and pushing the limits of an intimate 67-seat venue, and an influx of new patrons, the curtain is ready to rise on Curtain Call Performing Arts' (CCPA) 2013/2014 fifth anniversary season. The milestone season features the most diverse offering of live performing arts entertainment ever for the coming-of-age non-profit theatre company, including comedy and improv nights, live concerts, opera, and renowned Broadway style musicals and stage plays.

MCC THEATER today announced that Steven Boyer, previously announced to reprise his celebrated, Obie Award-winning performance in MCC's upcoming Off-Broadway premiere of Robert Askins' Hand to God, will be joined in that production by Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch as well asGeneva Carr, Michael Oberholtzer, and Sarah Stiles. Hand to God, which first appeared in New York to great acclaim at the Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) in 2011, will be directed once again by Moritz von Stuelpnagel and begins at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on February 20, 2014. An official opening night is set for March 10, 2014.

Los Angeles' acclaimed IAMA Theatre Company will present the New York premiere of two new plays in repertory: DO LIKE THE KIDS DO & SHINER. Performances begin December 5 at The Studio NYC at Theatre Row.

Annabelle Gurwitch (Dinner and a Movie, You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up, Fired!) is adapting her third book, the forthcoming memoir, I SEE YOU MADE AN EFFORT (Blue Rider Press, March 2014) into a theatrical property, following the success of her past two book to plays: You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up and Fired! A sneak preview of the work in progress is scheduled for Nuyorican Poets Cafe (236 East 3rd Street) tonight, November 12th at 9pm.

The Flea Theater invites you to the World Premiere of FAMILY FURNITURE by A.R. Gurney. It is directed by Tony Award nominee Thomas Kail (In The Heights) starring Carolyn McCormick (Law & Order), Peter Scolari (Girls, Newhart, Bosom Buddies), and Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies) with newcomers Ismenia Mendes and Molly Nordin. Performances run tonight, November 12 - December 22 at The Flea (41 White Street between Church and Broadway in Tribeca).

Playwrights Horizons has announced initial casting for the New York premiere production of STAGE KISS, a new play marking the eagerly-awaited return of two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl(Dead Man's Cell Phone at PH; The Clean House, In the Next Room...) to the theater company. Directed by Rebecca Taichman (Milk Like Sugar at PH; the current Marie Antoinette, Orlando, The Scene, Luck of the Irish), the production will begin previews Friday evening, February 7 at 8PM with an Opening Night set for Sunday, March 2 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday evening, March 23 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

A psychiatrist, who is credited with naming the act of sadomasochism, stated, 'I feel justified in calling this sexual anomaly 'Masochism,' because the author Sacher-Masoch frequently made this perversion, which up to his time was quite unknown to the scientific world as such, the substratum of his writing.' Yes, this is the same Leopold Sacher-Masoch who is the author of VENUS IN FURS, which is the subject of David Ives VENUS IN FUR, now in production at the Cleveland Play House.

On Her Shoulders will present a staged reading of The Years Between by Daphne Du Maurier, directed by Mary McGinley and edited by Susan Jonas. The Play in Context, a special component contextualizing the script in its historical time and place, will be delivered by Dr. Jonas at the top of the evening. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 6:45pm curtain; tickets are free to the public. The performance is at the New School, Wollman Hall, 65 West 11th Street. R.S.V.P to OnHerShouldersReservations@gmail.com

Cleveland Play House's (CPH) smart and sexy comedy Venus in Fur, currently running in the Second Stage at PlayhouseSquare, has extended its run for three additional performances due to high audience demand. The production, which was previously scheduled to close on Nov. 24th, will now have additional performances on Friday, Nov. 29th at 7:30 p.m. and two performances on Saturday, Nov. 30th at 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. respectively. This Tony-nominated play by celebrated playwright David Ives is directed by CPH's newly appointed artistic director, Laura Kepley. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by calling 216-241-6000 or by visiting www.clevelandplayhouse.com. This production of Venus in Fur is sponsored by Ambiance, The Store for Lovers.

The spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future converge on the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park as U.S. Bank presents Charles Dickens' iconic holiday story, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The beloved tale of a miserly humbug's redemption, enjoyed each season by multiple generations of Cincinnatians, will be performed for its 23rd year in the Playhouse's Robert S. Marx Theatre from Nov. 27 through Dec. 29.

The hit musical comedy Murder For Two just transferred to New World Stages in a limited engagement following rave reviews and a twice-extended, sold-out run at Second Stage Theatre Uptown. Murder For Two features book and music by Joe Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair and direction by Scott Schwartzand stars Jeff Blumenkrantzand Brett Ryback. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive first look at the show's 'Flyer Story' series. Check out Part 2 below!

The Players Club of Swarthmore presents The Pillowman, a comedy by Martin McDonagh, opening on Second Stage tonight, November 8, 2013. Second Stage plays are fully rehearsed, out-of-book, stageworthy productions with a minimum of scenery and costumes.

Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company presents the Houston premiere of Carnival 'Round the Central Figure by Diana Amsterdam, tonight, November 8-23, 2013.

Producers Jayson Raitt, Barbara Whitman, Steven Chaikelsonand Second Stage Theatre present Murder For Two, currently playing Off-Broadway at New World Stages - Stage 5 (340 West 50th Street). Direct from a critically-acclaimed, sold-out run at Second StageTheatre Uptown (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz, Executive Director and Christopher Burney, Curator and Associate Artistic Director), Murder For Two began performances at New World Stages - Stage 5 on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 and officially opened last night, November 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night festivities below!

Producers Jayson Raitt, Barbara Whitman, Steven Chaikelson and Second Stage Theatre present Murder For Two, currently playing Off-Broadway at New World Stages - Stage 5 (340 West 50th Street). Direct from a critically-acclaimed, sold-out run at Second StageTheatre Uptown (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz, Executive Director and Christopher Burney, Curator and Associate Artistic Director), Murder For Two began performances at New World Stages - Stage 5 on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 and officially opens tonight, November 6, 2013.

Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company presents the Houston premiere of Carnival 'Round the Central Figure by Diana Amsterdam, November 8-23, 2013 with a preview and after party tonight, November 7.

Currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary Season, Second Stage Theatre will extend its production of James Lapine and William Finn's new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, by one week, now playing through Sunday, December 15. The musical has broken box office records for Second Stage Theatre, earning the highest pre-opening advance in the company's 35-year history.