Second Stage Theater, coming off a successful season with acclaimed productions of Jordan Harrison’s Marjorie Prime and Gina Gionfriddo’s Becky Shaw, will anchor its upcoming 48th season around a Broadway line-up to include a modern re-telling of the musical The Fantasticks and a new play from Branden Jacobs-Jenkins who previously teamed with the theater company on the hit productions of his Appropriate and Purpose.
In addition to the two Broadway productions, Second Stage announced today three Off Broadway projects for the new season, including Bryna Turner’s The Visitors, Miranda Rose Hall’s Work of Devotion and Naomi Lorrain’s How to Roll a Blunt.
“Second Stage Theater has always been the premiere home for contemporary works by both emerging writers and established masters, and this upcoming season is no exception,” said Artistic Director Evan Cabnet. “I am incredibly proud of the five productions we’ll be bringing to life, including two world premiere plays from up-and-coming playwrights whose singular voices constantly surprise, challenge, and move me: Bryna Turner and Miranda Rose Hall, as well as a New York premiere from Naomi Lorrain, whose stunning new play was developed here at Second Stage through our invaluable Judith Champion Reading Series.”
Casting and full creative teams for all productions will be announced at a later date.
THE FANTASTICKSBROADWAY PREMIEREProduced in association with Broadway and Beyond Theatricals, Daryl Roth, and True North Theatricals.Book and Lyrics by Tom JonesMusic by Harvey SchmidtRevised Book and Lyrics by Tom JonesDirected and choreographed by Christopher GattelliPerformances begin October 22, 2026Opening November 16, 2026Venue: Broadway’s The Hayes Theater
Synopsis: “Two boys. Their two mothers. And a mischievous plan to make the young men fall in love. This is The Fantasticks, known and adored across the globe, in a Broadway premiere that brings glorious new life to the beloved classic. With a book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, this inspired reinterpretation celebrates love, reconciliation, and the singular power of theater. Brilliantly reconceived by Jones himself, it retains all the heart and humor that have made The Fantasticks one of the most iconic musicals of all time. Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Schmigadoon!, Newsies) directs.”
GLORIABROADWAY PREMIEREBy Branden Jacobs-JenkinsDirected by Second Stage Artistic Director Evan CabnetPerformances begin March 17, 2027Opening April 5, 2027Venue: Broadway’s The Hayes Theater
Synopsis: “In the cutthroat offices of a prestigious New York City magazine, a group of low-level employees frantically try to claw their way up the corporate ladder. Ruthless and driven, they’re willing to do almost anything to get ahead – even as their once-glamorous industry collapses around them. With sharp, cutting wit, Gloria expertly skewers the absurd, dog-eat-dog world of early-career professional life in the 2010s.”
THE VISITORSWORLD PREMIEREBy Bryna TurnerDirected by Jenna WorshamPerformances begin October 21, 2026Opening November 9, 2026Venue: Off Broadway’s The Irene Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center
Synopsis: “Joanna is in her mid-thirties and eager to become a parent. When she invites her three siblings to her New York City apartment to ask them for a shocking favor, they’re all forced to get to know each other as adults – but whether they’ll emerge from the visit closer or more at odds than ever is anyone’s guess. From playwright Bryna Turner and director Jenna Worsham, The Visitors is a wry, heartfelt world premiere comedy-drama about finally meeting the people you’ve known your whole life.”
WORK OF DEVOTIONWORLD PREMIEREWritten by Miranda Rose HallPerformances begin February 3, 2027Opening February 22, 2027Venue: Off Broadway’s The Irene Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center
Synopsis: “’No one, I mean no one, comes here because they want to be a nun.’ Welcome to Work of Devotion, a raucous, profound, and decidedly contemporary story about a group of 8th century nuns in rural Italy desperate to make meaning out of their constrained lives. When their leader dies in a freak accident (don’t ask), the women ask themselves: How do we actually want to live? Written by Miranda Rose Hall, this is a dazzlingly original world premiere play about devoting yourself to beauty, wonder, and the glorious absurdity of being alive.”
how to roll a bluntWORLD PREMIEREBy Naomi LorrainDirected by Colette RobertPerformances begin April 14, 2027Opening April 28, 2027Venue: Off Broadway’s The Irene Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center
Synopsis: “Maya is a writer. James is a painter. They’re best friends — and their college exes are about to get married… to each other. Should Maya and James go to the wedding? Of course they shouldn’t. But will they? how to roll a blunt is a warm, irreverent dramedy about love, friendship, and the often ridiculous entanglements of young adulthood. Written by playwright and actor Naomi Lorrain and directed by Colette Robert, how to roll a blunt is by turns hilarious and profound: a celebration of Black love in all its many forms.”
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