Second Stage News

Producer Daryl Roth announces that following a sold out developmental run last spring, THE DIVINE SISTER, the new comedy written by and starring Charles Busch, directed by Carl Andress, will transfer to the SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam Street) featuring the entire original company: Alison Fraser, Amy Rutberg, Jennifer Van Dyck, Jonathan Walker, and Julie Halston.

Ginger Rogers danced her way into our hearts in the arms of Fred Astaire, setting the gold standard for grace and elegance on the silver screen. In her surprising true-life story, we follow her from the vaudeville stage at the age of 15 through her ascension to Hollywood goddess. BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS tells the story of this legendary dancer, singer and actress through the music of some of the 20th century's greatest composers and with plenty of dance numbers worthy of the Hollywood icon. BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS plays in Tucson at the Temple of Music and Art from September 10 through October 2. It continues its run in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from October 7 through October 24. The Tucson media sponsors for the 2010-2011 season are Tucson Lifestyle, KGUN9 and MIX-FM. Arizona Theatre Company's season sponsors are I. Michael and Beth Kasser.

Larry Minion began his theatre career at the age of eight, writing plays for assemblies at an experimental elementary school he was attending. He continued to write through his teens, having his plays presented in several New York City theatres.

Quite frequently the twin cities sees lovers, spouses and siblings on stage together, but less often do they see parent and child. Proof marks Kurt Schweickhardt and Amy Schweickhardt's second stage appearance together portraying these close-to-home roles, father and daughter, after Minnesota Shakespeare Project's 2007 production of King Lear.

Southern Rep's 24th Season begins with a Regional Premiere of Sarah Ruhl's Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award Nominated play IN THE NEXT ROOM (OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY), directed by Southern Rep Artistic Director Aimée Hayes.

Renowned director Tazewell Thompson stages the poignant comic-drama Broke-ology, by Nathan Louis Jackson at TheaterWorks in Downtown Hartford.

Stoneham Theatre presents Perfect Harmony; conceived and directed by Andrew Grosso; written by Andrew Grosso and The Essentials. Performances run from September 9-October 3: Thurs. (7:30 pm), Fri. (8 pm), Sat. (4 pm & 8 pm), Sun. (2 pm). Tickets: $44-$48 regular admission; senior discounts apply; all student tickets $20.

Due to overwhelming demand, Signature Theatre Company (Founding Artistic Director James Houghton; Executive Director Erika Mallin) is pleased to announce a second extension for the first New York revival of Tony Kushner's ANGELS IN AMERICA: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, directed by Michael Greif. The production, originally slated to run through December 19, 2010 and extended once through January 30, 2011, will now play an additional three weeks through Sunday, February 20, 2011.

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the cast and creative team for the West Coast Premiere of Kristoffer Diaz's Welcome to Arroyo's. Directed by Jaime Castañeda, the hip hop-infused play will run in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre Sept. 25 - Oct. 31. Previews run Sept. 25 - Sept. 29. Opening night is Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7:00 p.m. Welcome to Arroyo's will also be performed at Lincoln High School Center for the Arts Nov. 6 and 7 as part of the Globe's Southeastern San Diego Residency Project. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office.

Tickets will go on sale Sunday, September 12, for the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical 'Next to Normal,' which is being presented at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, November 23, 2010, through January 2, 2011. The opening is scheduled for November 28.

Classic Stage Company presents the New York premiere of Sarah Ruhl's ORLANDO, adapted from the work of Virgina Woolf and directed by Rebecca Taichman. Performances begin September 8, 2010.

Southern Rep's 24th Season begins with a Regional Premiere of Sarah Ruhl's Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award Nominated play IN THE NEXT ROOM (OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY), directed by Southern Rep Artistic Director Aimée Hayes.

Classic Stage Company presents the New York premiere of Sarah Ruhl's ORLANDO, adapted from the work of Virgina Woolf and directed by Rebecca Taichman. Performances begin September 8, 2010.

The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents and marketing firms, will hold the fifth in its series of seminars focused on the culture, business and history of Off Broadway.

On August 19, 2010, In The Heights welcomed Kyle Beltran as Broadway's resident bodega owner, 'Usnavi,' following the footsteps of Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and, most recently, Corbin Bleu. No stranger to the show, or the part of 'Usnavi,' Beltran originated the lovable role on the First National Tour of In The Heights, which opened last October in Tampa.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company is currently casting for the first play of the 2010 - 2011 Season: All's Well That Ends Well. Most roles have been filled and an Academy Award Nominee joins the ranks. Marsha Mason makes her STC debut to star as the Countess of Rosillion.

Geva Theatre Center, Rochester's leading professional theatre, has been at the cultural heart of the Genesee Valley for over 35 years. Offering the very best in live theatre, from fresh looks at classics and musicals, to lively comedies and powerful, thought-provoking dramas, Geva has something for everyone. The Geva Theatre Center is located at 75 Woodbury Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14607.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced that Zach Braff, Bobby Cannavale, Sutton Foster, and Ari Graynor will co-star in the world premiere comedy TRUST, written by Paul Weitz, directed by Peter DuBois. Mr. Weitz returns to Second Stage Theatre, where his plays Privilege and Show People premiered in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Directed by Peter DuBois, who staged Second Stage's acclaimed production of Becky Shaw, TRUST will begin previews on Friday, July 23 at Second Stage Theatre (305 West 43rd street) and officially open on Thursday, August 12. The production runs through September 5.

BECKY'S NEW CAR will play at North Coast Rep beginning September 4 and running through September 26. The play was written by Steven Dietz and directed by David Ellenstein.

Larry Minion began his theatre career at the age of eight, writing plays for assemblies at an experimental elementary school he was attending. He continued to write through his teens, having his plays presented in several New York City theatres.