Abe Reybold directs Ripper, which will officially open Aug. 4. Performances continue through Aug. 21. Ripper has book, music and lyrics by Nelsen.

Nelsen's musical received a 2007 reading starring Davis Gaines and Annie Golden, and was presented as part of the 2009 National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals.

Nelsen loosely based his script on the Jack the Ripper tale, according to the Broadway Rose. "Neighbors, friends, and lovers are all suspects. Some are driven to find the truth. Others stop at nothing to obscure the facts and manipulate the situation to their own advantage. From the reporter who covers the story and the magician who runs the brothel, to the police and, of course, the prostitutes, an intricate plot unfolds that interweaves magic and mayhem, the lively nightlife of the music halls, and the ever-present danger of a killer lurking in the shadows."

The cast includes Isaac Lamb as reporter Chester Talbot, Bruce Blanchard as John Pizer, Amy Jo Halliday as Mrs. Ratkin, Audrey Voon as Mary, Josh Stenseth as Eddie, Rebecca Teran as Kate, Olivia Shimkus as Long Liz, Gary Norman as Sergeant Neill, Jennifer Davies as Sarah Talbott,
Rani Lightle as Annie,
Megan Misslin as Polly and
Holly Wigmore as Nelly.

The ensemble includes Nathan Boese, Matt Brown, Jeremy Garfinkle, Sammuel Hawkins, Darren Hurley, Blake Isaac, Annie Kaiser, Chrissy Kelly-Pettit, David Smidebush, Timo Strahl
and Brian Tennison. Ripper has scenic and lighting design by Gene Dent, costume design by Shana Targosz, prop design by Deb Dahling and sound design by Dan Hallberg.

Nelson's musicals also include Dreamers, The Last Charade, Division Street and Spa. He also penned scores for The Comedy of Errors and Deathtrap. As a jingle writer he wrote national television ads for McDonald’s, Kellogg’s, Disney, Pillsbury, Bose and others.

For tickets, phone (503) 620-5262 or visit BroadwayRose.