Jon Kern News

I daresay that playwright Jon Kern probably found a previously untried twist in the old staple of “meeting cute” in a romantic comedy by having the central couple of his play be a suicide bomber on a mission to sacrifice himself, and take as many lives as possible with him, on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, and a fellow terrorist helping to achieve his goal as revenge against an American drone attack that killed her husband on her wedding day when the celebration was mistaken for a Taliban gathering.

Unfiltered 2012, the Ensemble Studio Theatre/Youngblood's under-30, 2012 Obie Award-winning playwright incubator that has produced talents such as Annie Baker, Amy Herzog, Jon Kern, Lucy Alibar, and Robert Askins, has new dates. Unfiltered 2012 opens Friday, November 16, at 7:00pm and now runs through January 11 at Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST), 549 West 52nd Street. (Original dates were November 9 through December 7.)

MODERN TERRORISM, OR THEY WHO WANT TO KILL US AND HOW WE LEARN TO LOVE THEM is offering a limited number of special post hurricane $10 student and $20 general admission tickets to the final six performance at Second Stage Theatre's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 W 43rd St). The final performances are as follows: Thursday, November 1 at 8pm, Friday, November 2 at 8pm, Saturday, November 3 at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday, November 4 at 2pm and 7pm.

Ensemble Studio Theatre/Youngblood, the under-30, 2012 Obie Award-winning playwright incubator at Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST), 549 West 52nd Street, that has produced talents such as Annie Baker, Amy Herzog, Jon Kern, Lucy Alibar, and Robert Askins, opens Unfiltered 2012 Friday, November 9, at 7:00pm.

Victor Maog has been appointed the new Artistic Director of Second Generation (2g) Gladys Chen, Board President, announced today, and will start his new position by spearheading 2g's signature event, Instant Vaudeville.

Second Stage Theatre presents Jon Kern's world premiere comedy, Modern Terrorism, Or They Who Want To Kills Us and How We Learn To Love Them, which opened last night, October 15. Check out photos from opening night below!

Second Stage Theatre has canceled five preview performances of Jon Kern's world premiere comedy, Modern Terrorism, Or They Who Want To Kills Us and How We Learn To Love Them, due to actor illness. The canceled previews on Sunday, September 30, Tuesday, October 2, and both previews on Wednesday, October 3 have delayed the opening to Thursday, October 18. The production was originally scheduled to open on Monday, October 15. Ticket holders for all canceled shows are being accommodated on later dates. Previews are scheduled to resume on Thursday, October 4.

On Thursday, October 4, Emmy Award winning writers for The Daily Show, Jo Miller, Daniel Radosh, and Jason Ross, acclaimed comedian Maysoon Zayid, and director Peter DuBois will participate in "Exploring the Art and Politics of Satire," a post-show talk back immediately following the 7pm performance of Jon Kern's MODERN TERRORISM, OR THEY WHO WANT TO KILL US AND HOW WE LEARN TO LOVE THEM. The panelists will explore the use of comedy in controversial subjects, the evolution of political satire in the last decade, and how satire can create an understanding of the world. For tickets to the performance and panel visit www.2ST.com or call (212) 246-4422.

The heads of some of Hollywood's leading animation TV series have voiced their frustration over the fact that they are not receiving 'equal treatment' when it comes to Emmy consideration.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has just announced that Jason Robert Brown's musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS has been added to the company's upcoming 2012-2013 season. The musical, which has not been seen in New York City since its brief off-Broadway run over ten years ago, will be directed by Mr. Brown.

Following an acclaimed season which included the world premiere of Paul Weitz's Lonely, I'm Not and a critically lauded second staging of Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winner, How I Learned To Drive, Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has just announced two of the four mainstage productions in the company's upcoming 34th season. For subscription or ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com. All productions are staged at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre, 305 West 43rd Street (just west of Eighth Avenue).

Red Fern Theatre Company (Melanie Moyer Williams, Executive Artistic Director, Ken Hall, Managing Director) will present the World Premiere of Sharyn Rothstein's (Lunchblocked with Ars Nova; Camp Monster at Williamstown Theatre Festival) MARCH, directed by Kel Haney(Assistant Director, Manhattan Theatre Club's Wit; Good Egg with Red Fern Theatre Company) with Scenic Design by Caite Hevner, Costume Design by Sydney Maresca, Sound Design and Original Music by Anthony Mattana, and Lighting Design by Marie Yokoyama. The production will be cast by Darragh Garvey and Stage Managed by Michal V. Mendelson. March was originally workshopped at the Bay Area Playwright's Festival and was a 2010 finalist for the Yale Drama Series Competition.

As part of the previously announced run of YOU BETTER SIT DOWN: TALES FROM MY PARENTS' DIVORCE, the Flea and The Civilians today announced YOU BETTER SIT DOWN SALON NIGHTS: YOUR TALES TAKE THE STAGE, a series of post-play events.

Red Fern Theatre Company (Melanie Moyer Williams, Executive Artistic Director, Ken Hall, Managing Director) will present the World Premiere of Sharyn Rothstein's (Lunchblocked with Ars Nova; Camp Monster at Williamstown Theatre Festival) MARCH, directed by Kel Haney(Assistant Director, Manhattan Theatre Club's Wit; Good Egg with Red Fern Theatre Company) with Scenic Design by Caite Hevner, Costume Design by Sydney Maresca, Sound Design and Original Music by Anthony Mattana, and Lighting Design by Marie Yokoyama. The production will be cast by Darragh Garvey and Stage Managed by Michal V. Mendelson. March was originally workshopped at the Bay Area Playwright's Festival and was a 2010 finalist for the Yale Drama Series Competition.

Canal Park Playhouse will present the world premiere of INADMISSABLE, a dark comedy about the Machiavellian realties of the college admission process by D.B. Gilles.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) will kick off its 2012 season with The Urban Dictionary Plays, by Ars Nova's Play Group. Set to play 10 performances only from February 1-11, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production features original short plays and live music inspired by the irreverent entries on urbandictionary.com.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) kicks off its 2012 season with The Urban Dictionary Plays, by Ars Nova's Play Group. Set to play 10 performances only from February 1-11, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production redefines the short play genre, featuring original short plays and live music inspired by the irreverent entries on urbandictionary.com.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) will kick off its 2012 season with The Urban Dictionary Plays, by Ars Nova's Play Group. Set to play 10 performances only from February 1-11, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production features original short plays and live music inspired by the irreverent entries on urbandictionary.com. Check out photos from the productions below!

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) will kick off its 2012 season with The Urban Dictionary Plays, by Ars Nova's Play Group. Set to play 10 performances only from February 1-11, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production features original short plays and live music inspired by the irreverent entries on urbandictionary.com.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) has announced its 2012 featured programming and exciting developments at its vibrant Hell's Kitchen music, comedy and theater space at 511 West 54th Street.