Theater News

Off-Broadway’s Murder Ballad, with Caissie Levy and Will Swenson, Extends Through September 29

The acclaimed musical also stars Rebecca Naomi Jones and John Ellison Conlee.

The cast of <i>Murder Ballad</i>: John Ellison Conlee, Caissie Levy, Will Swenson, and Rebecca Naomi Jones.
The cast of Murder Ballad: John Ellison Conlee, Caissie Levy, Will Swenson, and Rebecca Naomi Jones.
(© Zachary Maxwell Stertz)

John Ellison Conlee, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Caissie Levy, and Will Swenson will sing a sexy Murder Ballad a little longer. The acclaimed musical, currently running at the Union Square Theatre, has extended its off-Broadway run through September 29. Directed by Trip Cullman, the production officially opens on May 22.

Nominated for Best Musical by the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Lucille Lortel Awards, Murder Ballad, written by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, focuses on Sara (Levy), an Upper West Side mom caught between a future with her family and her dangerous downtown past. Conlee, Swenson, and Jones repeat their roles of Sara’s husband, Michael, Sara’s former boyfriend, Tom, and the narrator, respectively, which they originated at Manhattan Theatre Club’s new Studio at Stage II, in the winter of 2012. The role of Sara was played by Karen Olivo in the MTC mounting.

Murder Ballad is conceived by Jonathan Larson Award winner and two-time Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist Jordan, who wrote the book and lyrics. It features music and additional lyrics by indie rock singer/songwriter Nash. The creative team includes Mark Wendland (scenic design), Jessica Pabst (costume design), Ben Stanton (lighting design), Leon Rothenberg (sound design), Doug Varone (choreography), and Justin Levine (music direction, vocal arrangement, and orchestrations).

An original cast recording of the musical will be released on May 28 via Yellow Sound Label.

Click here for more information and tickets to Murder Ballad.

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