Second Stage Taps Finding Neverland's Diane Paulus & The Wiz's Kenny Leon for Upcoming Off-Broadway Season

Two New York premiere productions, helmed by Finding Neverland’s Diane Paulus and The Wiz’s Kenny Leon, are slated for Second Stage Theatre’s upcoming 37th Season. First up in the fall will be Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews’ Invisible Thread (previously titled Witness Uganda), helmed by Tony winner Paulus. This will be followed in winter 2016 by Lydia R. Diamond’s Smart People, directed by Tony winner Leon.

Invisible Thread follows the story of Griffin, a young man from New York City, who volunteers for a project in Uganda. He finds himself on a journey that will change his life forever. Inspired by a true story, the new musical exposes the challenges confronted by American aid workers and the complex realities of trying to change the world. The show, as Witness Uganda, had its world premiere at American Repertory Theatre in February 2014 and the production is in association with A.R.T.

Smart People questions what role does race play in the story of our lives? On the eve of Obama’s first election, four Harvard intellectuals find themselves entangled in a complex web of social and sexual politics in this new work from Diamond (Stick Fly).

Two additional productions will be announced later.