Even before opening, an extension was announced for the production. It plays to July 15. Previews began May 11 at Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater on West 20th Street. The world-premiere musical, boasting old and new country-folk-rock-flavored music and lyrics by Grammy Award nominee Griffin, are merged with Keith Bunin's original libretto that tells of two tenuously attached lovers, Duane and Molly, who take a road trip up the East Coast — from Florida to New England. Their pickup truck transforms into quirky settings for multiple locations (the scenic designer is Derek McLane) in the journey. Along the way, Duane (played by Matthew Morrison) and Molly (played by Irene Molloy) reveal their wounds and discover what they mean to one another.

The varied folks they meet on the ribbon of highway are played by Mare Winningham and Skipp Sudduth. In previews audiences cheered and hooted after Winningham's plaintive performance of the hardscrabble ballad, "Making Pies," a Griffin classic.

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At left (from top): Mare Winningham; Matthew Morrison; Skip Sudduth; Irene Molloy; director Michael Mayer; composer Patty Griffin; bookwriter Keith Bunin; musical director Tim Weil and Randy Graff; Tony Kushner; Neil Pepe and Mary McCann; and Tom Hulce.

Below: The cast of 10 Million Miles takes their opening-night bows.

photos by Aubrey Reuben