Second Stage announces two New York premieres

Second Stage Theatre has announced two NY premieres which will be presented as part of the company's twelfth annual Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series this summer: Bess Wohl's comedy American Hero, directed by Leigh Silverman, and Tanya Saracho's Mala Hierba, directed by Jerry Ruiz. Both plays will be presented at Second Stage Theatre's uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre.

American Hero
New York premiere
Written by Bess Wohl
Directed by Leigh Silverman
Cast to be announced
Previews: 13 May 2014
Opens: 22 May 2014
Closed: 08 Jun 2014

At a toasted subs franchise in the local mall, three up and coming "sandwich artists" - a teenager, a single mom, and a downsized refugee from corporate banking -- are perfecting the mustard to cheese ratio according to the company manual. But when their shot at the American dream is interrupted by a series of strange events, they become unlikely allies in a post-recession world.

Bess Wohl's works include 'Barcelona,' 'Cats Talk Back,' 'In,' 'Porn The Musical' and 'Touch(ed).

Leigh Silverman's (Director) is the director of the Broadway premiere of the musical 'Violet' which plays at the American Airlines from 28 Mar - 10 Aug 2014. Her other Broadway credits include 'Chinglish' and 'Well.' Off-Broadway she currently directs David Henry Hwan's Kung Fu, playing in previews at the Signature Center's Irene Diamond Stage. Her many off-Broadway credits include 'Go Back To Where You Are' and 'In the Wake' for which she won Obie Awards for best direction.

Mala Hierba
New York premiere
Written by Tanya Saracho
Director by Jerry Ruiz
Cast to be announced
Previews: 14 Jul 2014
Opens: 24 Jul 2014
Closed: 10 Aug 2014

Liliana has a sparkle few can deny and no one can resist. The trophy wife of a border magnate living in Texas, she's seemingly impeccable. But beneath that polished exterior lies a fierce determination to survive at any cost. When Liliana's true desires break the surface, she'll have to decide between the value of obligation versus the price of freedom.

Tanya Saracho's plays include 'Enfrascada,' 'Oh, Gastronomy!,' 'Our Lady of the Underpass,' and 'Song For The Disappeared.' Jerry Ruiz's (Director) previously directed Tanya Saracho's 'Enfrascada' at Clubbed Thumb. His off-Broadway credits includes 'Philip Goes Forth' and 'Basilica.'