GODSPELL's Nick Blaemire Joins DOGFIGHT at Second Stage

Second Stage Theatre will present the world premiere musical, DOGFIGHT. Previews begin June 27 in anticipation of a July 16 opening. Nick Blaemire (Godspell) joins the previously announced Annaleigh Ashford (Rent, Wicked, Legally Blonde), Becca Ayers (The Addams Family, Avenue Q), Steven Booth (Glory Days), Dierdre Friel (Leap of Faith), Adam Halpin (Glory Days), F. Michael Haynie (Carrie), Derek Klena (Carrie), Lindsay Mendez (Godspell, Second Stage's Everyday Rapture), James Moye (Million Dollar Quartet), and Josh Segarra (Lysistrata Jones).

Blaemire has appeared on Broadway in Godspell and Cry-Baby. He has toured with Altar Boyz and appreaed regionally in The Last Goodbye (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Bring It On (ALLIANCE THEATRE), Lil's 90th (Long Wharf Theatre), and James Lapine's Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing (Vineyard Playhouse). Film credits include Damsels In Distress, Beach Pillows, Gods Behaving Badly, and Assassination Of A High School President. TV credits include "The Big C," "Law & Order: CI," and "Guiding Light."

Featuring music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, a book by Peter Duchan, and choreography by Tony winner Christopher Gattelli, the show is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and runs at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre. 

It's November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys' night of debauchery, partying, and maybe a little trouble. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace (Derek Klena) meets Rose (Lindsay Mendez), an awkward and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion.

DOGFIGHT is based on the Warner Bros. film and screenplay by Bob Comfort. DOGFIGHT is the winner of the 2011 Richard Rodgers Studio Production Award, administered by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Costume and set design are supported by a grant from the Tobin Theatre Arts Fund.

DOGFIGHT will feature scenic and costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Paul Gallo, sound design by Fitz Patton, hair design by Josh Marquette, and make-up design by Ashley Ryan. The music director is Bryan Perri. Orchestrations are by Michael Starobin.

DOGFIGHT will be performed from June 27, 2012 through Sunday, August 12 on the following schedule: Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm.

For more information, visit www.2ST.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.