Little Miss Sunshine to play at Second Stage

Second Stage Theatre has announced that the new musical comedy, Little Miss Sunshine, with book and direction by James Lapine and music and lyrics by William Finn, will open the theatre's 35th anniversary season this fall.

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

Casting, full creative team, and opening night date will be announced at a later date.

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.

Carole Rothman, Second Stage Theatre's Artistic Director,

I am thrilled to kick off our 35th Anniversary Season with Little Miss Sunshine and to welcome back William Finn and James Lapine, two artists who have significant histories with Second Stage, most recently with our production of their musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It seems appropriate to kick off this landmark season with a musical about optimism and resiliency, two qualities that are crucial for any not-for-profit theatre celebrating its past while also looking to its future. I can't wait to introduce this exuberant, funny, and sophisticated new musical to our audience.

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