Early Buzz: A Second Chance
Following a world premiere in 2011 at the Signature Theatre in Virginia, Ted Shen’s A Second Chance is making its way to New York City’s Public Theater in the spring of 2014.
This musical tells the melancholy story of two middle-aged people–Dan and Jenna–who find themselves seated next to one another at a mutual friend’s dinner party. They discover a shared passion for art, and soon enough–though neither is looking for love (he’s in mourning, a widowed banker; she’s a newly minted divorcee)–an undeniable attraction draws them together.
For a taste of the show, you can sample a few songs over at the website for Joe’s Pub. Otherwise, few details about the production, including the cast, are known. Nevertheless, given the Public’s excellent track record of late we’re excited to see this new musical from a relative newcomer to the musical theater scene. Shen is a retired business executive. A Second Chance is his musical theater debut.
TICKETS
$45 (click to purchase tickets)
DATES
March 18 – April 13, 2014
LOCATION
The Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street
New York City
[google-map-v3 width=”250″ height=”250″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”left” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003{}1-default.png{}The Public Theater” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]
RUNNING TIME
Approx. 90 minutes, one intermission
NEWS & REVIEWS
News
Playbill.com, November 2011
A Second Chance, Ted Shen’s Musical Romance for Two, Premieres in VA; Brian & Diane Sutherland Star
MD Theatre Guide, November 2011
Theatre Kibbitz: An Interview With Ted Shen On His New Musical ‘A Second Chance’ at Signature Theatre
Reviews
November 2011 production, Arlington, Virginia
The Washington Post
As direct and warmly intended as a letter from a friend, “A Second Chance” is a heartfelt new chamber musical about a middle-aged New York banker who lost the love of his life and slowly found the courage to open himself up to a second.
DC Theatre Scene
A Second Chance rolls polished performances, clever design, and inspired storytelling into a resonant emotional journey.
StageBuzz
With shades of Sondheim, the aforementioned Jason Robert Brown, and lots of Maury Yeston, Shen’s tunes bounce along nicely throughout the 90-minutes we get to see the blossoming of Dan and Jenna’s budding romance.
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Ted Shen
Directed by Jonathan Butterell