SEASON 29
2007-2008
EDWARD ALBEE'S PETER AND JERRY
By Edward Albee
Directed by Pam MacKinnon
With Johanna Day, Bill Pullman, Dallas Roberts
Scenic Design by Neil Patel
Costume Design by Theresa Squire
Lighting Design by Kevin Adams
Production Stage Manager C.A. Clark
Stage Manager Annette Verga-Lagier
"PETER AND JERRY twins, 'Homelife' and 'The Zoo Story.' If 'Homelife' is an openhanded slap, 'The Zoo Story' is a gut punch with a closed fist. Edward Albee is a voice unparalleled in American theatre for its surgical elegance in exploring the animal in humanity.PETER AND JERRY IS AN ESSENTIAL AND HEARTENING EXPERIECE. BEAUTIFULLY ACTED. Bill Pullman is superb. He is the ideal interpreter of the diffident Albee man."- Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"An eloquent play." - John Lahr, The New Yorker
"SUPERBLY PERFORMED!" - Frank Scheck, New York Post
"A thoroughly satisfying package of jagged-edged provocation. Dallas Roberts brings a meticulously calibrated cunning to scary Jerry. Watching Bill Pullman watch Jerry is a master class in passive virtuosity." - Linda Winer,Newsday
"A potent production. 'The Zoo Story' provides a terrific showcase for Dallas Roberts in a marathon role that is genuinely scary. He is totally mesmerizing." - Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press
NEXT TO NORMAL
Book & Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Music by Tom Kitt
Directed by Michael Greif
With Adam Chanler-Berat, Jennifer Damiano, Brian d'Arcy James, Alice Ripley, Asa Somers, Aaron Tveit
Scenic Design by Mark Wendland
Costume Design by Jeff Mahshie
Lighting Design by Kevin Adams
Sound Design by Brian Ronan
Musical Staging by Sergio Trujillo
Orchestrations by Michael Starobin
Musical Direction by Mary Mitchell Campbell
Vocal Arrangements by Ann Marie Milazzo
Music Coordinator Michael Keller
Production Stage Manager Judith Schoenfeld
Stage Manager Lori Ann Zepp
"THROBS WITH EMOTIONAL INTENSITY! NEXT TO NORMAL IS OF REAL VALUE TO ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT THE DIRECTION AND POSSIBILITIES OF THE AMERICAN MUSICAL. The show is performed by an ace cast led by Alice Ripley and Brian d'Arcy James, who do their best work to date. Both performances stay with you, and they only get better in memory." - Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"AUDACIOUS AND ORIGINAL! The score is lively, moving and boasts some of the best songs I've heard in the past year. Impressively staged by Michael Greif, this gleaming production looks stunning. If you're looking for something that will shake you up, Next to Normal is just what the doctor ordered." - Joe Dziemianowicz, The Daily News
"INSPIRED AND SOARING, NEXT TO NORMAL ROCKS THE THEATER!" - Robert Feldberg, The Record
GOOD BOYS AND TRUE
By Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Directed by Scott Ellis
With Christoper Abbott, Betty Gilpin, Kellie Overbey, Brian J. Smith, J. Smith Cameron, Lee Tergesen
Scenic Design by Derek McLane
Costume Design by Tom Broecker
Lighting Design by Kenneth Posner
Original Music by Lewis Flinn
Production Stage Manager Dian DiVita
Stage Manager Megan Smith
"SCOTT ELLIS' SLICK PRODUCTION GIVES THE EVENING A RAPID-FIRE, ONE-TWO PUNCH." - Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press
SOME AMERICANS ABROAD
By Richard Nelson
Directed by Gordon Edelstein
With Emily Bergl, Tom Cavanagh, John Cunningham, Fiona Dourif, Halley Feiffer, Enid Graham, Cristin Milioti, Pamela Payton-Wright, Anthony Rapp, Corey Stoll, Todd Weeks
Scenic Design by Michael Yeargan
Costume Design by Jennifer Von Mayrhauser
Lighting Design by Donald Holder
Original Music & Sound Design John Gromada
Production Stage Manager Charles M. Turner III
Stage Manager Courtney James
"With Second Stage coming up on its 30th aniversary, and much solid original work to show for those years, it's worth noting the company has been dilligent about carrying out another of its precepts: to revive american plays that merit a second look. Some Americans Abroad - a scathing satire of academics behaving badly on their annual cultural binge in London - is too truthful to ever go out of date, and it proves a perfect fit for a company with a smart and sophisticated sense of humor." - Marilyn Stasio, Variety
"A quietly malicious comedy." - Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press
“Sensitively directed by Gordon Edelstein, the ensemble cast succeeds in showcasing ambivalent, complicated personas within a tense professional environment.” - Matt Windman, amNY
2ST UPTOWN: LEN, ASLEEP IN VINYL
By Carly Mensch
Directed by Jackson Gay
With Michael Cullen, Megan Ferguson, Daniel Eric Gold, Leslie Lyles, Dan McCabe
Scenic Design by Wilson Chin
Costumes by Jessica Ford
Lighting Design by Matthew Richards
Sound Design by Matt Huang
Production Stage Manager Lori Ann Zepp
Stage Manager Stephanie Gatton
"A thoroughly entertaining dark comedy, nicely directed by Jackson Gay." - The New York Times
"Carly Mensch's play hums along on the strengths of its well-observed riffs." - Time Out New York
"Makes good on its ambitions with considerable style and slick dialogue. The reasons to take a producing risk on mensch are apparent." - Variety
2ST UPTOWN: ANIMALS OUT OF PAPER
By Rajiv Joseph
Directed by Giovanna Sardelli
With Utkarsh Ambudkar, Kellie Overbey, Jeremy Shamos
Scenic Design by Beowulf Borrit
Costume Design by Amy Clark
Lighting Design by Josh Bradford
Sound Design by Bart Fasbender
Production Stage Manager Lori Ann Zepp
Stage Manager Stephanie Gatton
"AN AMBITIOUS, pitch-perfect script by rajiv joseph that is alternately wrenching and funny. It deals ruthlessly with the fragility of happiness, the tragedy of impulsiveness and the tenuousness of hope. Masterly direction by Giovanna Sardelli pins down the laughs as well as the emotional anguish." - The New York Times
"A BEAUTIFULLY WROUGHT production, witty and sincere, with remarkable performances." - Variety
"ANIMALS OUT OF PAPER is a deft portrait of three souls who come together out of a shared fascination with folded paper. a skillful, enjoyable comedy-drama with a humorous touching script and crisp direction!" - Time Out NY
"Engaging and sweetly comic. The acting is excellent." - The Daily News