Happiness: Lincoln Center announces full cast

Lincoln Center Theater has announced that Fred Applegate, Sebastian Arcelus, Miguel Cervantes, Hunter Foster, Joanna Gleason, Ken Page, Robert Petkoff, Jenny Powers, Phyllis Somerville and Pearl Sun will be featured in its upcoming production of the new musical Happiness.

Happiness, which has a book by John Weidman, music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, will open at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater on 30 Mar 2009, following previews from 27 Feb and run through to 7 Jun 2009.

The cast of Happiness will also include Ana Maria Andricain, Holly Ann Butler, Patrick Cummings, Jane Dickinson, Alan Green, Samantha Maza, James Moye, Alessa Neeck, Eric Santagata, Rob Sapp, Alexander Scheitinger, Lina Silver, Idara Victor and Matt Wall.

Commissioned and developed by Lincoln Center Theater, Happiness, tells the story of a disparate group of New Yorkers caught on a subway train under unusual circumstances.

The production reunites director-choreographer Susan Stroman and book writer John Weidman, whose last LCT collaboration was the Tony Award-winning Best Musical 'Contact' (2000), and marks the LCT debuts of composer Scott Frankel and lyricist Michael Korie.

The musical will have sets by Thomas Lynch, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Donald Holder, sound design by Scott Lehrer, orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin and musical direction by Eric Stern.

Susan Stroman returns to LCT where she directed and choreographed the musicals 'Contact' (2000 - Tony Award for Best Choreography), 'The Frogs' (2004) and 'Thou Shalt Not' (2001). Her Broadway credits include 'Young Frankenstien' (2007), 'The Producers' (2001 - Tony Awards for both direction and choreography), 'The Music Man' (2000 revival), and, as choreographer, the most recent revival of Oklahoma! (2002), Show Boat (1994 - Tony Award for Best Choreography), Steel Pier (1997), big (1996) and Crazy for You (1992 - Tony Award for Best Choreography).

John Weidman wrote the books for LCT�s Tony Award-winning productions of 'Contact' (2000) and 'Anything Goes' (2002 - with Timothy Crouse). He also wrote the books for the musicals 'big,' (1996) 'Pacific Overtures' (2004), 'Assassins' (2004) and the Public's recent Off-Broadway production of 'Road Show.'

Composer Scott Frankel and lyricist Michael Korie were nominated for a Tony Award for their score for the musical 'Grey Gardens' (2007). Their other collaborations include the musicals 'Doll' and 'Meet Mister Future.'

In addition to Happiness, Lincoln Center Theater is currently presenting the ongoing run of its Tony Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein�s 'South Pacific,' directed by Bartlett Sher, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. This spring LCT will produce a new production of August Wilson�s 'Joe Turner�s Come and Gone,' directed by Sher, beginning previews 19 Mar 2009, and opening 16 Apr 2009, on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre.

Fred Applegate starred on Broadway in 'Young Frankenstein' (Hermit / Inspector Kemp: 2007), 'The Producers' (Max Bialystock - replacement: 2001) and 'The Sound of Music' (Max Detweiler: 1998).

Sebastian Arcelus� Broadway credits include 'Jersey Boys' (Bob Gaudio - replacement: 2005), 'Wicked' (Fiyero - replacement), 'Good Vibrations' (Jan: 2005) and 'Rent' (Roger Davis/Mark Cohen - replacement: 1996).

Miguel Cervantes appeared on Broadway in 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' (2005).

Hunter Foster received 2004 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for his performance as 'Seymour' in 'Little Shop of Horrors' (2003) and has also starred on Broadway as 'Leo Bloom' (replacement) in 'The Producers' (2001) and 'Bobby Strong' in 'Urinetown' (2001), after having originated that role in the musical�s off-Broadway premiere. His other Broadway credits include 'Grease' (Roger: 1994 revival), 'Footloose' (Bickle: 1998), Les Miserables (Ensemble: 1987) and 'King David' (Ensemble: 1997). He is currently starring off-Broadway in Billy Goda's 'Dust.'

Joanna Gleason won a Tony Award for her performance as the 'Baker's Wife' in the original production of 'Into The Woods' (1987), and was nominated for Tony's for her roles in 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' (Muriel: 2005) and 'Joe Egg' (Pam: 1985 revival). Her other Broadway credits include 'I Love My Wife' (Monica: 1977), 'The Real Thing' (Replacement: 1984), 'Social Security' (Trudy Heyman: 1986), and 'Nick and Nora' (Nora Charles: 1991).

Ken Page's Broadway credits are 'It Ain�t Nothin� But The Blues' (Replacement: 1999), 'Ain't Misbehavin' (1988 revival), 'Cats' (Old Deuteronomy: 1982), 'Ain't Misbehavin' (1978), 'Guys and Dolls' (Nicely-Nicely Johnson: 1976 revival) and 'The Wiz' (Lion - replacement: 1975).

Robert Petkoff appeared on Broadway in 'Monty Python�s Spamalot' (Sir Robin - repacement: 2005), 'Fiddler on the Roof' (Perchik: 2004 revival), and 'Epic Proportions' (understudy: 1999), and in London�s West End in Sir Peter Hall�s production of 'The Royal Family' (2001).

Jenny Powers has been seen on Broadway as 'Rizzo' in the latest production of 'Grease' (2007) and 'Little Women' (Clarissa/Meg: 2005), in the Encores productions of 'Follies' and 'Of Thee I Sing.'

Phyllis Somerville�s Broadway credits are ''night, Mother' (u/study: 1983), 'Once in a Lifetime' (Miss Chasen: 1978 revival) and 'Over Here!' (Wilma: 1974).

Pearl Sun made her Broadway debut in 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!' (Ensemble: 2006).