The world of Broadway and Off Broadway theater is about to get a thrilling shake-up with Second Stage Theater's upcoming 48th season. With a focus on contemporary works and a diverse range of productions, this season promises to be an exciting journey through the minds of both established and emerging playwrights.
A Season of Innovation
Kicking things off is a modern retelling of the beloved musical, The Fantasticks. This Broadway premiere, directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, promises to breathe new life into a classic tale of love and reconciliation. With a revised book and lyrics by Tom Jones, it's an inspired reinterpretation that will captivate audiences once more.
Next up is Gloria, a brand-new play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, who previously collaborated with Second Stage Theater on the hit production Appropriate. Set in the cutthroat world of a New York City magazine, Gloria offers a sharp and witty take on the dog-eat-dog nature of the professional world in the 2010s.
Off Broadway Highlights
The Off Broadway scene is equally vibrant, with three world premiere productions set to take center stage. The Visitors by Bryna Turner explores the dynamics of sibling relationships, as four siblings gather in New York City and navigate their adult lives together. It's a wry and heartfelt comedy-drama that promises to resonate with audiences.
Work of Devotion, written by Miranda Rose Hall, transports us to 8th-century Italy, where a group of nuns question their constrained lives and seek meaning. With a leader's unexpected death, they ask themselves how they truly want to live. It's a raucous and profound piece that challenges our perceptions of devotion and life's absurdities.
Finally, How to Roll a Blunt by Naomi Lorrain is a warm and irreverent dramedy about love and friendship. As two college exes prepare to marry each other, their best friends, Maya and James, grapple with the decision to attend the wedding. It's a hilarious and profound exploration of Black love and the complexities of young adulthood.
A Celebration of Contemporary Theater
Second Stage Theater's Artistic Director, Evan Cabnet, emphasizes the company's commitment to contemporary works, stating, "Second Stage Theater has always been a premier home for contemporary works, and this season is no exception."
With a diverse range of productions, from modern retellings of classics to world premiere plays, this season promises to challenge, surprise, and move audiences. It's a celebration of the singular voices of emerging playwrights and the established masters of the theater world.
As we look forward to this exciting season, one thing is certain: Second Stage Theater continues to be a beacon for innovative and thought-provoking theater, pushing the boundaries of what we know and love about the stage.
