By Andrew Gans
17 May 2007

Rachel deBenedet, seen Off-Broadway earlier this season in Adrift in Macao, will be part of the world-premiere cast of The Second Tosca, which begins previews June 8 at the 45th Street Theater.

Directed by Kevin Newbury, Tom Rowan's new comedy will officially open June 13 and will play a limited engagement through July 1. The cast will also feature two-time Tony nominee Vivian Reed as well as Jeremy Beck, Tug Coker, Eve Gigliotti, Mark Light-Orr, Melissa Picarello and Carrington Vilmont.

The design team comprises Charlie Corcoran (scenic design), Joanne Haas (costume design), D.M. Wood (lighting design) and Jill BC DuBoff (sound design).

The Second Tosca, according to press notes, "takes place backstage at Opera California during rehearsals for Tosca. Meet a rising operatic star, her rivalrous brother, the controlling maestro who wants to marry her, a diva with a dog, an assistant with a dream, and a meddling singing ghost."

Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.

The 45th Street Theater is located in Manhattan at 354 West 45th Street. Tickets, priced $18, are available by calling (212) 868-4444 or by visiting www.smarttix.com.

For more information go to www.thesecondtosca.com.