New Works by John Kander, Nicky Silver Set for the Vineyard

Robert Caplin for The New York Times The composer John Kander, seated, with the book writer and lyricist Greg Pierce.

The Vineyard Theater has announced that it will produce two premieres as part of its 2013-14 Off Broadway season. This fall brings the musical “The Landing,” with a score by the Tony Award-winning composer John Kander and book and lyrics by Greg Pierce. In the spring of 2014, the theater will mount “Too Much Sun,” a new play by Nicky Silver (“The Lyons”), with direction by Mark Brokaw. Run dates and casting were not announced for either show.

“The Landing,” to be directed by Walter Bobbie, is the first collaboration between Mr. Kander, who with the lyricist Fred Ebb wrote the musicals “Chicago” and “Cabaret,” and Mr. Pierce, whose play “Slowgirl” was the inaugural production at Lincoln Center Theater’s new Claire Tow Theater last year. “The Landing” is Mr. Pierce’s debut as lyricist and book writer. Consisting of three musical tales of love and obsession, the show returns to the Vineyard for a full production after having a developmental production there last year. The Vineyard’s relationship with Mr. Kander dates back to 1987, when it produced a revival of “Flora the Red Menace,” which had a book by George Abbott and Robert Russell, music by Mr. Kander, and lyrics by Mr. Ebb. In 2010, the Vineyard produced the premiere of the Kander and Ebb musical “The Scottsboro Boys,” which transferred to Broaday.

“Too Much Sun” is a dark comedy about an actress who, in a time of crisis, descends upon the summer home of her estranged daughter and her husband. The show continues Mr. Silver’s relationship with the Vineyard, which most recently produced his play “The Lyons,” which transferred to Broadway last year. The Vineyard has also produced Mr. Silver’s “Pterodactyls,” “Raised in Captivity” and “The Maiden’s Prayer.”

The last show in the Vineyard’s current season is the premiere of “Somewhere Fun,” written by Jenny Schwartz (“God’s Ear”) and directed by Anne Kauffman. Previews are to begin May 15 with opening night set for June 4.