Lincon Centre announces its 08/09 season at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater

Lincoln Center Theater (LCT) has announced its 2008-2009 Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater season. First up will be Saturn Returns, a new play by Noah Haidle, directed by Nicholas Martin, opening on 10 Nov 2008, following previews from 16 Oct, playing through to 4 Jan 2009.

In early Spring 2009 LCT will present Happiness, a new musical with book by John Weidman, music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.

2008/09 season at Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

• Saturn Returns
  Genre: Drama
  Playwright: Noah Haidle
  Director: Nicholas Martin
  Cast: Robert Eli, John McMartin and James Rebhorn
  Synopsis: Focuses on one man, Gustin, during pivotal moments as he confronts the three women in his life. Dates: previews 16 Oct 2008, Opens 10 Nov 2008, closes 4 Jan 2009.

  Playwright Noah Haidle is the author of the plays 'Persephone,' directed by Nicholas Martin at Boston�s Huntington Theater, 'Vigils,' produced at Chicago�s Goodman Theater and Washington, D.C.�s Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 'Mr. Marmalade,' seen in New York at the Roundabout Theatre after premiering at the South Coast Rep in Costa Mesa, Ca., 'Princess Marjorie,' which also premiered at the South Coast Rep and 'Rag and Bone,' produced by the Long Wharf Theatre.

  Nicholas Martin, Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival, returns to Lincoln Center Theater where he directed last season�s production of Paul Rudnick�s 'The New Century.'

• Happiness Genre: Musical
  Score: Scott Frankel
  Lyrics: Michael Korie Director: Susan Stroman
  Chorepgrapher: Susan Stroman
  Cast: tba
  Synopsis: About a disparate group of New Yorkers caught on a subway train under unusual circumstances. Dates: Sping 2009.

  Susan Stroman returns to LCT where she directed and choreographed the musicals 'Contact' (Tony Award � Best Choreography), 'The Frogs,' and 'Thou Shalt Not.' Currently represented on Broadway as director-choreographer of The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstien

  John Weidman wrote the books for LCT�s Tony Award winning productions of 'Contact 'and 'Anything Goes' (with Timothy Crouse). He also wrote the books for the musicals big, 'Pacific Overtures,' 'Assassins' and 'Bounce,' which will be produced by the Public Theater this season.

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

In addition to Saturn Returns and Happiness, Lincoln Center Theater will also be presenting, by arrangement with Primary Stages, Horton Foote�s critically acclaimed play Dividing The Estate, directed by Michael Wilson, on Broadway from 23 Oct 2008 - 4 Jan 2009 at the Booth Theatre, while its Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein�s South Pacific continues its record-breaking run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center.

This fall, Lincoln Center Theater will also inaugurate LCT3, a new programming initiative devoted to the work of emerging playwrights, directors and designers.