Trip Cullman News

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director), Barry Grove (Executive Producer), and Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) have just announced full casting for the upcoming world premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney's CHOIR BOY, the new play featuring gospel music directed by Trip Cullman.

It's December 2008, and an American woman flees to London despite the pleas of her daughter and ex-husband. Unable to forgive her country for a grave offense, she seeks refuge in the city of her youth. As America broadcasts news of financial crisis and political change, a fractured family roams the London streets trying to understand what sparked a fatal decision in SLEEPING ROUGH, to begin off-Broadway April 11, 2013. Check out photos of the cast at their first day of rehearsal below!

It's December 2008, and an American woman flees to London despite the pleas of her daughter and ex-husband. Unable to forgive her country for a grave offense, she seeks refuge in the city of her youth. As America broadcasts news of financial crisis and political change, a fractured family roams the London streets trying to understand what sparked a fatal decision.

Casting has been announced for the world-premiere of Kara Manning's play SLEEPING ROUGH, directed by Tony Award nominee Sam Buntrock and presented Off-Broadway at the Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street) by Page 73 Productions, currently celebrating its 15th season presenting works by up-and-coming playwrights in New York. Performances of SLEEPING ROUGH will begin April 3 prior to an official press opening of April 11. Tickets for SLEEPING ROUGH are now on sale.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced a world premiere play along with a New York premiere new musical which will be presented as part of the company's eleventh annual Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series this summer: Erica Lipez's The Tutors, directed by Thomas Kail and Murder For Two with Book and Music by Joe Kinosian and Book and Lyrics by Kellen Blair.

Page 73 Productions, which is currently accepting applications on its website (www.page73.org/apply) for three of its signature development programs: the P73 Playwriting Fellowship, the Interstate 73 writers group, and the Page 73 Summer Residency at Yale, will host an information session with its Executive Director Liz Jones and its Associate Director Michael Walkup for interested applicants on Thursday, March 21st at 7pm at the Manhattan Theatre Club Rehearsal Studios (311 West 43rd Street, 8th Floor). Reservations are required; please email info@page73.org to inquire about a reservation.

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the lineup for this spring's Ernst C. Stiefel "7@7" Reading Series.

Interstate 73, Page 73 Productions' writers group supporting early-career playwrights, where selected playwrights meet biweekly to share new pages with their peers and Page 73's Executive and Associate Directors, will welcome Stephen Brown, Meghan Deans, Peter Gil-Sheridan, David Jenkins, Kait Kerrigan, EM Lewis and Caroline V. McGraw (who was also selected as the 2013 P73 Playwriting Fellow) into the group this year.

Caroline V. McGraw has been awarded the 2013 P73 Playwriting Fellowship, it has been announced by Page 73's Executive Directors Liz Jones and Asher Richelli.

Page 73 Productions, an Off-Broadway theatre company dedicated to developing and presenting works by early-career playwrights, will support the development of four new plays by playwrights Mary Hamilton, Kait Kerrigan, Kimber Lee, and Cori Thomas as part of their 2013 Page 2 Workshop, it has been announced by Liz Jones and Asher Richelli, Co-Executive Directors of Page 73 Productions.

Manhattan Theatre Club's Murder Ballad, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, that opened to glowing reviews, closes today, Sunday, December 16 at MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

Page 73 Productions will present a reading of the new hip hop musical comedy DUNKFEST '88 with book, beats, and rhymes by Matt Schatz and directed by Wendy C. Goldberg. The reading will be Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30pm at 311 West 43rd Street, 8th floor (MTC's Creative Center). The reading is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Email info@page73.org to inquire about availability, seating is limited.

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of MURDER BALLAD, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, begins the final week of its acclaimed extended engagement tonight at MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

Vineyard Theatre continues its series of one-night-only readings of notable plays from its acclaimed history in celebration of the company's 30th Anniversary with Nicky Silver's award winning 1993 hit PTERODACTYLS, directed by Trip Cullman. An absurdist black comedy about the demise of the Duncan family, and, by extension, the species, PTERODACTYLS will feature Emmy Award-winner Penny Fuller (THE DINNER PARTY, APPLAUSE) as Duncan family matriarch, Grace; Tony-nominee Bobby Steggert (RAGTIME) as son, Todd; Virginia Kull (THE HEIRESS) as daughter, Emma; and Claybourne Elder (BONNIE & CLYDE) as Emma's fiance Tommy (the role of family patriarch, Arthur, is TBD).

Vineyard Theatre continues its series of one-night-only readings of notable plays from its acclaimed history in celebration of the company's 30th Anniversary with Nicky Silver's award winning 1993 hit PTERODACTYLS, directed by Trip Cullman. An absurdist black comedy about the demise of the Duncan family, and, by extension, the species, PTERODACTYLS will feature Emmy Award-winner Penny Fuller (THE DINNER PARTY, APPLAUSE) as Duncan family matriarch, Grace; Tony-nominee Bobby Steggert (RAGTIME) as son, Todd; Virginia Kull (THE HEIRESS) as daughter, Emma; and Claybourne Elder (BONNIE & CLYDE) as Emma's fiance Tommy (the role of family patriarch, Arthur, is TBD).

America Ferrera, joined by cast members Emily Ackerman, Kristin Griffith, Ken Marks, Tobias Segal and Myra Lucretia Taylor, begins rehearsals today for Women's Project Theater's world premiere dark comedy Bethany by Laura Marks. Directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, Ms. Ferrera stars as a financially-strapped woman who discovers just how far she'll go to regain what she has lost.

Off-Broadway's Page 73 Productions - a company dedicated to producing and developing works by early-career playwrights -- has announced 8 finalists for their 2013 P73 Playwriting Fellowship serving early-career playwrights.

Just announced, Manhattan Theatre Club's Murder Ballad will be releasing its world premiere cast recording via Yellow Sound Label. On sale date and where to purchase the album will be announced in the coming weeks.

Page 73 Productions will present a reading of the new play PLAYGROUNDS by Sarah Sander directed by Josh Hecht. The reading will be Monday, November 26 at 7:30pm at 311 West 43rd Street, 6th floor (Dodger Atelier). The reading is free and open to the public, but reservations are required by visiting www.page73.org/playgrounds or emailing info@page73.org.

Today we are talking to one of Broadway's brightest new marquee names all about her Tony Award-winning work in the recent revival of WEST SIDE STORY, as well as originating roles in Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS and BROOKLYN before that, with a special emphasis on her work in the new Manhattan Theater Club rock musical MURDER BALLAD - the engaging and emotive Karen Olivo. In this career-spanning chat, besides filling us in on the themes, style, story, music, characters, casting and overall creation of the original musical she is currently co-starring in with Will Swenson Off Broadway, MURDER BALLAD, now in previews and running through December 16, Olivo also opens up about many of her other most memorable roles in past productions, ranging from her work in the Broadway production of RENT all the way to last season's straight comedy BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK to her current work on MURDER BALLAD and her plans for the future, near and far. Plus, Olivo shares details about her upcoming featured role in the Lifetime Christmas-themed movie HOLIDAY SPIN, choreographed by recent InDepth InterView participant Paul Becker, as well as her long-awaited return to the hit CBS legal drama THE GOOD WIFE this Sunday. All of that, memories of legendary collaborators such as Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Marvin Hamlisch, Kathy Bates, a preview of her upcoming robot-themed sci-fi indie RISE, details on her participation in the new FUGITIVE SONGS recording and much, much more awaits!