Trip Cullman News

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!

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that Murder Ballad, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, that opened to glowing reviews last night is extending by two weeks through 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).

Check out photos from the opening night party below!

BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture all of opening night. Check out photos from the curtain call below!

Off-Broadway's Page 73 Productions - a company dedicated to producing and developing works by early-career playwrights - will present readings of their 2012 P73 Playwriting Fellow Max Posner's play THE FAMISHED today, November 16 at 2pm and 7pm at Manhattan Theatre Club's Creative Center (311 West 43rd Street, 8th Fl). OBIE Award winner Ken Rus Schmoll (TELEPHONE, A MAP OF VIRTUE) will direct.

The Off-Broadway production of Murder Ballad is currently playing at The Studio at Stage II at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street) and opens tonight, November 15. Manhattan Theatre Club's Murder Ballad, the new musical that is the inaugural production of MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II, runs through December 2. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights below!

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of MURDER BALLAD, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, opens tonight. MURDER BALLAD is the inaugural production of 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).

The Off-Broadway production of MURDER BALLAD is currently playing at The Studio at Stage II at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street) and opens Thursday, November 15. Manhattan Theatre Club's MURDER BALLAD, the new musical that is the inaugural production of MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II, runs through December 2. Get a first look at stars Will Swenson, Karen Olivo, Rebecca Naomi Jones and John Ellison Conlee in the photos below!

Emmy® Award winning actress America Ferrera, best known for her fearless portrayal of Betty on ABC's hit comedy Ugly Betty, will star as a financially-strapped woman who discovers just how far she'll go to regain what she has lost in Women's Project Theater's first play of the 2012 - 2013 season, the world premiere dark comedy Bethany by Laura Marks, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, Julie Crosby, Women's Project Theater Producing Artistic Director, announced.

The Off-Broadway production of MURDER BALLAD will start previews tomorrow, October 31, at 7:30 PM at The Studio at Stage II at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). MURDER BALLAD will play a limited five-week engagement, opening Thursday, November 15.

The Off-Broadway production of MURDER BALLAD will start previews tomorrow, October 31, at 7:30 PM at The Studio at Stage II at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). MURDER BALLAD will play a limited five-week engagement, opening Thursday, November 15.

The New York Times reports today that America Ferrera will headline the season opener, BETHANY. Laura Marks's world premiere dark comedy exploring the limits of morality, Bethany, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, will run January 11 through February 17. Set in an American exurb wiped out by foreclosures, a financially-strapped single mother discovers just how far she'll go to regain what she has lost.

Sam Buntrock, who received a 2008 Tony Award nomination for directing the award-winning revival of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE will helm the World-Premiere of SLEEPING ROUGH, the first professional production in New York by playwright Kara Manning and presented Off-Broadway by Page 73 Productions from April 3 - 27 at the Wild Project in Manhattan.

Off-Broadway's The Play Company launches its 2012-13 Season with the concert-theater hybrid piece SKY-PONY: RAPTURED, created by Obie Award-winning writer and musician Kyle Jarrow (ARMLESS, A VERY MERRY UNAUTHORIZED CHILDREN'S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT) and singer/actress Lauren Worsham (WHERE'S CHARLEY, JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA), to be presented as a studio production starring their Brooklyn-based indie band Sky-Pony, October 25-28, at the Ukrainian National Home (140 Second Avenue).

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that due to overwhelming demand, MURDER BALLAD, the new musical that is the inaugural production of 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) will extend by one week through Sunday, December 2.

Page 73 Productions will present a reading of TOO MUCH, TOO MUCH, TOO MANY by Meghan Kennedy directed by Hal Brooks. The reading will be Monday, October 1st at 7:30pm at 311 West 43rd Street, 8th floor (Manhattan Theatre Club's Creative Center). The reading is free and open to the public, but reservations are required by visiting www.page73.org/toomuch or emailing info@page73.org.

Off-Broadway's Page 73 Productions - a company dedicated to producing and developing works by early-career playwrights - will double the financial award associated with their annual P73 Playwriting Fellowship to $10,000 beginning in 2013, it has been announced by Page 73 Executive Directors Liz Jones and Asher Richelli. "We're thrilled to provide more financial assistance to playwrights who are just starting out and who are trying to make a name for themselves in New York City and all over the country," said Executive Director Liz Jones.

For the first time ever, regular Joe's Pub performer Justin Levine will dedicate an entire evening to his own eclectic work, which ranges from jazz to rock to gospel to the blues and more. The concert, tonight, September 24th at 9:30 p.m., will feature music from a few of his latest projects, including songs inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker, the first African American millionaire, and a jazz-fueled romp into the madness of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.

For the first time ever, regular Joe's Pub performer Justin Levine will dedicate an entire evening to his own eclectic work, which ranges from jazz to rock to gospel to the blues and more. The concert, on September 24th at 9:30 p.m., will feature music from a few of his latest projects, including songs inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker, the first African American millionaire, and a jazz-fueled romp into the madness of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.