The California company opens its season with the new work, which began previews Sept. 8 for a run currently scheduled through Oct. 7.

Expedition 6 is billed as a new "theatrical docudrama [that] explores the political and personal life-and death crisis of two American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut stranded on the [titular] International Space Station after the Columbia Shuttle disaster," according to an announcement. The work, presented in association with Chabot Space & Science Center, employs "eight actors, movement, live music and low-flying trapezes."

Assigned to this mission are cast members (and Magic veterans) Nora El Samahy, Arwen Anderson and Sally Clawson as well as John Behlmann, Karl Hanover, Rob Robinson, Brent Rose and Justin Walvoord — who took part in the developmental workshop at Denver Theatre Center's National Theatre Conservatory.

"To achieve authenticity in the theatre can be a humbling task," creator and director Pullman said in a statement. "I'm intrigued to use authentic texts for Expedition 6 to channel the flood of voices heard around national events like the loss of the Columbia, the invasion into Iraq, and the rescue of stranded astronauts."

The design team for Expedition 6 features Kate Boyd (set and lighting), Callie Floor (costume) and Sara Huddleston (sound). Also returning to the team from the Denver workshop are Robert Davidson (trapeze choreographer), Gary Grundel (original music) and Jennifer Rincon McCray (creative consultant). After making his Broadway debut in the Edward Albee play The Goat or Who is Sylvia?, actor Pullman will revisit the scribe's work later this fall at Off-Broadway's Second Stage when he stars in Peter and Jerry. Known for turns in such films as "Sleepless in Seattle," "Independence Day," "While You Were Sleeping," "Spaceballs," "Lost Highway" and more, he has also appeared on stage in Subject Was Roses, Oedipus at Colonus and The Sad Lament of Pecos Bill on the Eve Killing His Wife Killer's Head/Action.

The season at Magic will continue with Rebecca Gilman's The Crowd You're in With (Nov. 10-Dec. 9), Betty Shamieh's Territories (Jan. 12-Feb. 10, 2008), Edna O'Brien's Tir Na Nog ("Land of Youth") (Feb. 23-March 23, 2008), Kevin Fisher's Monkey Room (April 5-May 4, 2008) and Wendy MacLeod's Birnham Woods (May 10-June 8, 2008).

Tickets to Expedition 6 at the Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center (Building D) in San Francisco, CA, are available through (415) 441-8822. For more information visit the Magic Theatre website at magictheatre.org.