Little Miss Sunshine: Hannah Rose Nordberg

Second Stage Theatre has announced that nine-year old Hannah Rose Nordberg will star as 'Olive Hoover' in the new musical comedy, Little Miss Sunshine, previewing at the Second Stage Theatre from 15 Oct 2013 with an official opening in mid- November 2013.

Nordberg will join the previously announced 2013 Tony Award nominees Stephanie J. Block and Will Chase (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) who will co-star in the new musical comedy.

Nordberg lives in Santa Monica, California. She started doing musical theater with Creative Kids Youth Theater Project in Los Angeles at the age of six, and has performed in fourteen different musicals, her favorites being 'Wicked' (Glinda), 'Annie' (Miss Hannigan), 'Seussical' (Gertrude McFuzz) and 'Beauty and the Beast' (Gaston).

Further casting and opening night date will be announced at a later date.

The musical, with book and direction by James Lapine and music and lyrics by William Finn, and choreography by Michele Lynch, kicks off Second Stage Theatre's 35th anniversary season this fall.

On life's twisty road, sometimes you need to pull over and change direction. When the coveted title of Little Miss Sunshine is unexpectedly within her reach, young Olive Hoover convinces her family to make the 800 mile trek to the pre-teen pageant of her dreams. Along the way, a series of mishaps threatens to derail the group's quest for the crown, until they realize a young girl's far-fetched goal may actually hold the key to the family's happiness.

James Lapine and William Finn return to Second Stage Theatre where they most recently collaborated on 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.' Previews for Little Miss Sunshine begins 15 Oct 2013 with an official opening in mid- November.

The creative feature scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Jennifer Caprio, lighting design by Ken Billington, and sound design by Jon Weston.

Little Miss Sunshine is based on the film of the same name, written by Michael Arndt.