Joe Kinosian to Join Cast of MURDER FOR TWO on 1/20; Jeff Blumenkrantz to Depart on 1/19

Producers Jayson Raitt, Barbara Whitman, Steven Chaikelson and Second Stage Theatre just announced that Murder for Two composer Joe Kinosian will reprise his Joseph Jefferson Award-nominated performance as 'The Suspects' beginning Monday, January 20, 2014 in Murder for Two at Off-Broadway's New World Stages - Stage 5 (340 West 50th Street), alongside Brett Ryback, who continues in the role of 'Marcus,' the evening's lovable, if not experienced, detective. Murder for Two features book and music by Joe Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair and direction by Scott Schwartz.

"Jeff Blumenkrantz has brought his brilliant comedic chops to every single one of 'The Suspects' and I'm so excited to step into all of their shoes," said Kinosian. "I couldn't be more in awe of Jeff's talent and have delighted in watching his work at Second Stage Uptown and, currently, at New World Stages. Having played the role at Chicago Shakespeare, I'm thrilled to get a chance to do it again."

Mr. Blumenkrantz continues performances as 'The Suspects' through Sunday, January 19, 2014.

Direct from a critically-acclaimed, sold-out run at Second Stage Theatre Uptown (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz, Executive Director and Christopher Burney, Curator and Associate Artistic Director), Murder for Two began performances at New World Stages - Stage 5 on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 and officially opened on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. The show, which was originally scheduled to play through Sunday, January 5, 2014, will now play its final performance onSunday, March 16, 2014.

Everyone is a suspect in Murder for Two, a hilarious musical murder mystery with a twist: one actor investigates the crime, the other plays all of the suspects and they both play the piano! A zany blend of classic musical comedy and madcap mystery, this 90-minute whodunit is a highly theatrical duet loaded with killer laughs.

Murder For Two began previews at Second Stage Theatre's uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre on Wednesday, July 10th and officially opened Thursday, July 25th. It was extended twice, due to popular demand, and ultimately played there through Sunday, August 25th.

Charles Isherwood from The New York Times calls Murder for Two, "Ingenious! A snazzy double-act!" The New York Observer's Jesse Oxfeld states, "Who would have guessed that murder could be so fun? A noir-tinged detective story elevated to the heights of delicious farce!" And TheaterMania proclaims, "This is showmanship at its finest."

Tickets for Murder for Two are available on Telecharge.com (212-239-6200) and at the New World Stages Box Office (340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9thAvenues). Tickets for Murder for Two are priced at $85 plus a $2 facilities fee. Premium Tickets are priced at $115.00 plus a $2 facilities fee. Student Tickets are priced at $25 plus a $2 facilities fee, and are available for advance purchase subject to availability. The performance schedule for Murder for Two is as follows: Mondays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm.

Murder For Two features scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Andrea Lauer, lighting design by Jason Lyons, sound design by Jill BC DuBoff and choreography by Wendy Seyb.

Murder For Two was developed at The Adirondack Theatre Festival and 42nd Street Moon. Chicago Shakespeare Theater presented the World Premiere Production in May, 2011, which was extended 4 times, running for more than 6 months. Kinosian and Blair were recognized with a 2011 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Musical.

Ghostlight Records will release the original cast recording for Murder for Two digitally on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 and everywhere music is sold on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. Produced by Joel Moss and executive produced by Kurt Deutsch, the physical CD features complete lyrics, never-before-seen photos, a show synopsis by creators Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair and an essay by Oscar and Grammy Award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz. Murder for Two will host an album release party following the 7pm performance on Monday, January 13, 2014. Admission to the album release party is exclusive to ticket holders of the Monday, January 13, 2014 performance of Murder for Two. Sign up to pre-order the original cast recording at www.sh-k-boom.com/murderfortwo.html.