Manhattan Theatre ClubÂ's MURDER BALLAD Opens Tonight

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of Murder Ballad, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, opens tonight. Murder Ballad is the inaugural production of MTC's The Studio at Stage II – Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center – Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

MURDER BALLAD features four of New York's most exciting musical theatre talents: Tony Award nominee John Ellison Conlee ("Parks & Rec," The Full Monty), Rebecca Naomi Jones (American Idiot, Passing Strange), Tony Award winner Karen Olivo (West Side Story, In The Heights), and Tony Award nominee Will Swenson (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Hair).

A love triangle gone wrong, Murder Ballad centers on Sara, an Upper West Sider who seems to have it all, but whose downtown past lingers enticingly and dangerously in front of her. This sexy, explosive new musical explores the complications of love, the compromises we make, and the small betrayals that can ultimately undo us.

MURDER BALLAD is conceived by Jonathan Larson Award winner and two-time Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist Julia Jordan with book and lyrics by Jordan and music and lyrics by indie rock singer/songwriter Juliana Nash. Drama Desk Award nominee Trip Cullman (Paul Weitz's Lonely, I'm Not; Adam Bock's A Small Fire) directs.

The creative team for Murder Ballad 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 arrangements and orchestrations), David Caparelliotis & Kelly Gillespie (casting).

In order to ensure that tickets to Murder Ballad are affordable to the widest possible, most diverse audiences, MTC is pricing all tickets at $30. Tickets are on sale now via CityTix® (212-581-1212) and www.nycitycenter.org and at the New York City Center Box Office (131 West 55th Street).

For additional details on Murder Ballad and offers to all MTC shows, please sign up for MTC's "30 Under 30" program for theatergoers age 30 and under https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/30under30/.