Second Stage Theater (Bennett Leak, Interim Artistic Dir; Lisa Lawer Post, Executive Dir) has announced the lineup for its 2nd NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL, consisting of four distinct programs dedicated to supporting early career playwrights, which will take place this winter on The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd St).The festival will officially kick off on Jan 27 with The Nancy Denovan Musical Reading, a one-night-only reading of the new musical, INSIDE VOICES, with music and lyrics by Ross Golan and a book written by Golan and co-written by Danielle Koenig, directed by Michael Mayer. The Festival’s centerpiece will present the World Premiere production of D.A. Mindell’s play, On the Evolutionary Function of Shame, directed by Jess McLeod. The Judith Champion Reading Series will feature three new plays developed over a week of rehearsal with experienced directors,casts and targeted design support. The 2025 plays are Keiko Green’s "You are Cordially Invited to the End of the World!," directed by Zhailon Levingston; Jay Stull’s "The Singularity Play," directed by Keenan Tyler Oliphant; and Aurora Real de Asua’s "Wipeout." Casting for all events, as well as additional creative team members, will be announced at a later date. Once again, this year’s Festival will include the invaluable work of the Lark Playwrights Workshop, which will continue under the auspices of Second Stage Theater – five playwrights will be mentored by David Henry Hwang, Rajiv Joseph, and May Adrales. Press contact: Polk & Co (917/261-3988)...