Second Stage Theatre Uptown Festival, to present two world premiere comedies

Second Stage Theatre will continue its Second Stage Theatre Uptown Festival this summer with two world premiere comedies: Marisa Wegrzyn's The Butcher of Baraboo, directed by Carolyn Cantor, and Josh Tobiessen's Election Day, directed by Jeremy Dobrish.

Both Ms. Wegrzyn and Mr.Tobiessen are making their New York debuts with this festival. The plays will be presented at Second Stage Theatre's uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre.

• The Butcher of Baraboo
  Written by: Marisa Wegrzyn
  Directed by Carolyn Cantor
  Synopsis: Valerie is the butcher of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Her husband has gone missing and everyone suspects she played a hand, especially her nosy sister-in-law who just happens to be the town sheriff. And her daughter, a drug-pushing pharmacist, might know more than she lets on. The Butcher of Baraboo is a black comedy about a butcher, a secret, and one perfectly polished meat cleaver.
  Dates: 21 May - 17 Jun 2007
  
  
• Election Day
  Written by: Josh Tobiessen
  Directed by Jeremy Dobrish
  Synopsis: It's Election Day, and Adam knows his over-zealous girlfriend will never forgive him if he fails to vote. But when his sex starved sister, an eco-terrorist, and a mayoral candidate willing to do anything for a vote all show up, Adam finds that making that quick trip to the polls might be harder than he thought. Election Day is a dark comedy about the price of political (and personal) campaigns.
  Dates: 16 Jul - 11 Aug 2007

The Second Stage Theatre Uptown Festival, which premiered in 2002, seeks to develop the skills of emerging playwrights, to provide early-career artists with the support of a major artistic institution, and to create new plays for the American Theatre. Each show has a limited rehearsal period, as well as a streamlined budget.