Maria Dizzia Steps Into Second Stage Theatre's THE LAYOVER Tonight

As previously announced, Maria Dizzia assumes the role of Shellie in the world premiere production of THE LAYOVER, written by Leslye Headland and directed by Trip Cullman, today, September 6. She returns to Second Stage Theatre after her acclaimed performance in the title role of Eurydice, during the company's 28th season.

Annie Parisse, who had to leave the production to begin filming the new Netflix series "Friends From College," played her final performance on Sunday, September 4.

Maria Dizzia's New York credits include Belleville (2013 Drama Desk Nomination), Uncle Vanya, Cradle and All and The Hallway Trilogy, among others. She earned a Tony Award nomination in 2010 for her work in In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play). Maria also portrayed Polly on two seasons of Netflix's "Orange is the New Black." Her other film and television credits include While We're Young, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Margin Call, Rachel Getting Married, "Royal Pains," "The Newsroom," "The Good Wife," "Master of None," "Louie," "Fringe," and "Law & Order." She will be seen in New Line's upcoming film Going in Style, the independent films The Last Poker Game and Three Generations, and on NBC's "Blacklist" and CBS's "Elementary."

THE LAYOVER features Quincy Dunn-Baker (Draft Day), Arica Himmel, John Procaccino (Our Mother's Brief Affair, A Time to Kill), Adam Rothenberg (2ST's Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, "Ripper Street"), and Amelia Workman (Natasha, Pierre...).

THE LAYOVER is the final production of Second Stage Theatre's 2015-16 mainstage season. THE LAYOVER began previews on Tuesday, August 9 and officially opened on Thursday, August 25 at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd Street).

Ever wonder who that stranger is sitting next to you? What is their story? What are they hiding? Shellie and Dex dare to answer these questions after their flight is delayed on a snowy Thanksgiving night. What they discover about themselves, and each other, sends both of their lives into upheaval. A psychological drama from the darkly funny writer of Bachelorette, The Layover asks the question: Can you ever really get to know somebody when you're hiding so much yourself?

THE LAYOVER features scenic design by Mark Wendland, costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Fitz Patton, and video design by Jeff Sugg.

Under the artistic direction of Carole Rothman, Second Stage Theatre produces a diverse range of premieres and new interpretations of America's best Contemporary Theatre, including 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner Between Riverside and Crazy by Stephen Adly Guirgis; 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner Next to Normal by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey; 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner Water by the Spoonful by Quiara Alegria Hudes; The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown; Dogfight by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Peter Duchan; By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage; Trust and Lonely, I'm Not by Paul Weitz; The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz; Everyday Rapture by Dick Scanlan and Sherie Rene Scott; Let Me Down Easy by Anna Deavere Smith; Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo; Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl; The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane; Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin; Jitney by August Wilson; Jar the Floor by Cheryl L. West; Uncommon Women and Others by Wendy Wasserstein; Crowns by ReGina Taylor; Saturday Night by Stephen Sondheim; Afterbirth: Kathy & Mo's Greatest Hits by Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy; This Is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan; Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants by Ricky Jay; Coastal Disturbances by Tina Howe; A Soldier's Play by Charles Fuller; Little Murders by Jules Feiffer;The Good Times Are Killing Me by Lynda Barry; and Tiny Alice by Edward Albee.

The company's more than 130 citations include the 2009 Tony Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley, Next to Normal) and Best Score (Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey,Next to Normal); the 2007 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (Julie White, The Little Dog Laughed); the 2005 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (Rachel Sheinkin, ...Spelling Bee) and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Dan Fogler, ...Spelling Bee); the 2002 Tony Award for Best Director of a Play (Mary Zimmerman for Metamorphoses); the 2002 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Body of Work, 29 Obie Awards, eight Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Clarence Derwent Awards, 13 Drama Desk Awards, nine Theatre World Awards, 17 Lucille Lortel Awards, the Drama Critics Circle Award and 23 AUDELCO Awards.

In 1999, Second Stage Theatre opened The Tony Kiser Theatre, its state-of-the-art, 296-seat theatre, designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. In 2002, Second Stage launched "Second Stage Theatre Uptown" series to showcase the work of up and coming artists at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre. The Theatre supports artists through several programs that include residencies, fellowships and commissions, and engages students and community members through education and outreach programs.

In 2015 Second Stage Theatre purchased the historic Helen Hayes Theatre, located at 240 W. 44th Street. With this new home, Second Stage will be the only theatre company on Broadway dedicated exclusively to the development and presentation of contemporary American theatrical productions. The company will continue to lease and operate their original theatres on the city's Upper West Side and in Midtown Manhattan. Second Stage Theatre has enlisted David Rockwell and The Rockwell Group to make renovations and updates to the 103 year old landmark building. They will begin renovations on the theatre in 2016 and plans for its first Broadway production to be staged in the Hayes during the 2017-18 season.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus