Second Stage News

Producers of the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN have announced that Obie Award winner MARK BLUM will permanently assume the role of Dick Jensen, the role regularly played by MICHAEL McKEAN. Blum, who originated the same role in the 2000 Broadway revival, appeared off-Broadway this past year in Paul Weitz's Lonely, I'm Not at Second Stage and We Live Here by Zoe Kazan at Manhattan Theatre Club.

Potted Potter has played to sold out houses in Toronto, London, Edinburgh, Australia and New Zealand, and made its US debut on Saturday May 19th at the Little Shubert Theatre. The production celebrated its official opening night yesterday, June 3rd, and BroadwayWorld was exclueively invited to catch the opening curtain call and post-celebration! This limited engagement will run through August 12th only.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) kicks off the 10th anniversary of its Uptown Series with the world premiere of The Bad Guys, written by Alena Smith and directed by Hal Brooks. The Bad Guys will feature Michael Braun (War Horse), Roe Hartrampf (Unnatural Acts), James McMenamin (Suicide, Incorporated), Tobias Segal (The Miracle Worker) and Raviv Ullman (Russian Transport). Opening night is tonight, June 4th.

Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' global hit musical MAMMA MIA! welcomes new principals Christy Altomare, Lauren Cohn, Daniel Cooney, Felicia Finley, Aaron Lazar, Graham Rowat and Zak Resnick who will join Judy McLane as "Donna Sheridan" at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway) tonight, June 4, 2012.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Second Stage Theatre's production of Paul Weitz's world premiere comedy, LONELY, I'M NOT, directed by Trip Cullman, previously extended one week through today, June 3rd at Second Stage Theatre (305 West 43rd Street). The show opened on Monday, May 7 and closes today.

Theatricum Botanicum's 2012 Summer Repertory Season will present four plays in repertory on its mainstage: Measure for Measure and A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare; Heartbreak House by George Bernard Shaw; and The Women of Lockerbie by Deborah Brevoort. In addition, Cherry Docs by David Gow will get six performances in Theatricum's intimate second performance space.

Today in 1954, Carousel opened at City Center, where it ran for 79 performances. Carousel is the second stage musical by the team of Richard Rodgers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (book and lyrics). The work premiered in 1945 and was adapted from Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play Liliom, transplanting its Budapest setting to the Maine coastline. The story revolves around carousel barker Billy Bigelow, whose romance with millworker Julie Jordan comes at the price of both their jobs. He attempts a robbery to provide for Julie and their unborn child; when it goes wrong, he has a chance to make things right.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) is thrilled to present the NY premiere of the hit musical comedy THE HUNCHBACK VARIATIONS, based on the play by Mickle Maher, with music by Mark Messing, libretto by Mr. Maher and directed by and featuring George Andrew Wolff and Larry Adams.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The non-Equity Jeff Awards are Monday night, and we've compiled our first ever Summer Musical Theatre Guide! Here are 35 listings for your viewing pleasure....

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has just announced that Jason Robert Brown's musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS has been added to the company's upcoming 2012-2013 season. The musical, which has not been seen in New York City since its brief off-Broadway run over ten years ago, will be directed by Mr. Brown.

Oberon in association with the Ministry of Theater will present a pre-New York tryout of ROLLER DISCO THE MUSICAL!, an unautherized parody of the classic film Roller Boogie, from May 30 to August 30 at Oberon in Cambridge Massachusetts, with its world premiere opening night on June 13. With executive producer Pablo Rojas, Roller Disco aims to transfer to Off-Broadway in Spring 2013.

Oberon in association with the Ministry of Theater will present a pre-New York tryout of ROLLER DISCO THE MUSICAL!, an unautherized parody of the classic film Roller Boogie, from tonight, May 30 to August 30 at Oberon in Cambridge Massachusetts, with its world premiere opening night on June 13. With executive producer Pablo Rojas, Roller Disco aims to transfer to Off-Broadway in Spring 2013.

Producers Broadway Across America (John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Beth Williams), Rich Entertainment Group (Bob and Mindy Rich), Barbara Whitman, Latitude Link, Dede Harris, Sharon Karmazin, and Howard and Janet Kagan just announced that the La Jolla Playhouse production of the new American musical HANDS ON A HARDBODY will bow on Broadway in the 2012-2013 season.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) today announced that Broadway actress Mimi Bessette is joining the cast of Woody Sez, a musical tapestry of the American folk hero's life and songs, devised by David M. Lutken with Nick Corley, performed by David M. Lutken, Darcie Deaville, Helen Jean Russell, and Andy Teirstein, directed by Nick Corley. Performances run through this weekend at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) has just announced that Broadway actress Mimi Bessette is joining the cast of Woody Sez, a musical tapestry of the American folk hero's life and songs, devised by David M. Lutken with Nick Corley, performed by David M. Lutken, Darcie Deaville, Helen Jean Russell, and Andy Teirstein, directed by Nick Corley. Performances run through this weekend at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Tokyo International Players have announced information about upcoming 2012-13 productions, youth opportunities, auditions, how to apply to produce a show on TIP's second stage, and more. See full details below.

Music-Theatre Group has announced a special interview with Diane Paulus and Randy Weiner, to be moderated by Thomas Schumacher (Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group) on Thursday, June 7th at the Dimenna Center for Classical Music (450 W. 37th Street between 9th and 10th) at 7:30 p.m.

Playwright Annie Baker and director Sam Gold-whose previous collaborations include The Aliens and Circle Mirror Transformation-have reunited to stage a new version of Chekhov's masterwork, Uncle Vanya. Soho Rep, in association with John Adrian Selzer, will present the world premiere production June 7-July 15. Soho Rep will also offer FEED companion programming throughout the run; see details below.