The new musical begins previews Jan. 21, 2003 and opens Feb. 13 at the Off-Broadway not-for-profit. Harriell appeared last in Company as part of the Sondheim Celebration at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center. Rent fans may also recall her as the first replacement for the role of Mimi following Daphne Rubin-Vega. She has also performed at Second Stage in the production of Athol Fugard's Sorrows and Rejoicings.

Harriell joins the ensemble cast that includes Jennifer Laura Thompson (Urinetown), Lea DeLaria (The Rocky Horror Show), Hugh Panaro (The Phantom of the Opera), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (On the Town), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Summer of '42), Ken Marks (Mamma Mia!), and Eric Jordan Young (Seussical).

LaChanze, who has recently performed in both the Funny Girl and Once on This Island benefit concerts, has signed on to work on a television movie about the life of Lucille Ball. Her Broadway credits include Ragtime, Company and Once on This Island. Other credits include The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin and The Vagina Monologues.

Composer of Broadway musicals such as The Wild Party and Marie Christine, LaChiusa's new musical, Little Fish, centers around a neurotic New Yorker (played by Jennifer Laura Thompson) who reflects on her attempts to quit smoking, exercise regularly, and find the man of her dreams in the big city. Hyphenate Graciela Daniele (Once on This Island, Marie Christine, A New Brain) directs and choreographs the work with book, lyrics and music by LaChiusa.

The creative team includes Riccardo Hernandez (sets), Peggy Eisenhauer (lights), Toni Leslie James (costumes) and Scott Lehrer (sound). For subscriptions or single tickets, call Second Stage, 307 West 43rd Street, at (212) 246-4422. Tickets will be available Jan. 3. For more information, visit the Second Stage website at www.secondstagetheatre.com.