Photo Coverage: MURDER BALLAD's Opening Night Party!

The Off-Broadway production of Murder Ballad is currently playing at The Studio at Stage II at New York City Center and opened last night, November 15. Manhattan Theatre Club's Murder Ballad, the new musical that 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, runs through December 2. BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture all of opening night. Check out photos from the opening night party below!

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.

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 betrayals that can ultimately undo us.

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 director, vocal arranger and orchestrator).

In order to ensure that tickets to Murder Ballad are affordable to the widest possible, most diverse audiences, MTC is continuing the $30 pricing for all tickets during this extension week. Tickets are on sale via CityTix (212-581-1212), www.nycitycenter.org and at the New York City Center Box Office.

Photos by Walter McBride

Director Trip Cullman

Juliana Nash

Juliana Nash

Director Trip Cullman

John Ellison Conlee

Karen Olivo

Celia Keenan-Bolger & John Ellison

Juliana Nash & Julia Jordan

Karen Olivo & Audra McDonald

Juliana Nash & Julia Jordan

Celia Keenan-Bolger & John Ellison Conlee

Karen Olivo, John Ellison Conlee, Rebecca Naomi Jones and Will Swenson

Juliana Nash, Julia Jordan, Mandy Greenfield, Trip Cullman, Karen Olivo, John Ellison Conlee, Rebecca Naomi Jones and Will Swenson

Mandy Greenfield, Julia Jordan, Juliana Nash and Trip Cullman

Mandy Greenfield, Julia Jordan, Juliana Nash

Kevin Smith Kirkwood & Nicole Lewis

Audra McDonald & Will Swenson

Rebecca Naomi Jones, Kevin Smith Kirkwood & Nicole Lewis

Karen Olivo & Guest

Rebecca Naomi Jones & Director Trip Cullman

Karen Olivo & Julia Jordan

Rebecca Naomi Jones, Kevin Smith Kirkwood & Nicole Lewis

Daniel Breaker & Karen Olivo

Rebecca Naomi Jones and Daniel Breaker

Audra McDonald & Will Swenson

BWW Hi-Res Gallery - Original Version

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As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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