Women on the Verge..: Justin Guarini completes cast

Justin Guarini, first season runner-up on FOX-TV's "American Idol," completes the cast of Lincoln Center Theater's (LCT) upcoming production of the new musical Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher.

Benanti joins de'Adre Aziza, Laura Benanti, Danny Burstein, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mary Beth Peil and Sherie Rene Scott.

Guarini, a first season runner-up on FOX-TV's American Idol, has released two studio recordings - 'Justin Guarini,' produced by RCA and Clive Davis and 'Stranger Things Have Happened,' and is currently at work on a third. In addition to "American Idol," his television credits include hosting duties on the TV Guide Channel, "Run of the House," and AMC's "Fun Fakers," "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. He has starred in the films "From Justin to Kellyi" with Kelly Clarkson and "Fast Girl."

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown will reopen the newly restored Belasco Theatre, where it will open on 4 Nov 2010, following previews from 2 Oct 2010 and play a limited engagement through to 23 Jan 2011.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is based on the 1988 Spanish comedy of the same name - Pepa's lover leaves her and she wants to know why. She seeks out his wife and son, but they have no answers. Meanwhile Pepa's girlfriend believes the police want to question Pepa because of her former lover's criminal activities. They decide to engage a lawyer, who unknown to them is the lover's new lover...

Bartlett Sher has been collaborating with Pedro Almodóvar in adapting the film ,which Almodóvar both wrote and directed, into a musical comedy since May 2009.