The Forrest Theatre box office opens on Nov. 3.

Brian D'Arcy James, as expected, will star in the musical. Also confirmed for the troupe, which plays the Forrest starting Nov. 25, are previously reported Kate Baldwin (Arena Stage's South Pacific) and Stephen R. Buntrock (Oklahoma!, Les Miz), with Janine LaManna (Seussical), Bradley Dean (Man of La Mancha), Aaron Lazar (Oklahoma!), David Turner (The Invention of Love) and Thom Christopher Warren (The Lion King).

A Broadway premiere is planned for 2004. Manilow, known for singing "Mandy," "I Write the Songs," "Copacabana" and other pop hits, serves as composer and Bruce Sussman is the lyricist and librettist.

Performances continue in Philly to Jan. 3. Opening there is set for Dec. 10. The cast numbers 24, according to http://www.harmonythemusical.com.

"Inspired by the true lives of the Comedian Harmonists, Harmony tells the story of six young men who formed a singing group in the waning days of the Weimar Republic in the 1920s," according to production notes. "Rising from unemployed street musicians to world-famous entertainers who performed in concerts halls around the world, sold millions of records, and made over a dozen films, the Comedian Harmonists created a completely unique style that mixed physical humor with suave musical sophistication. But despite their tremendous success, the group was eventually torn apart as the Nazis tightened their grip on Germany." The show was first mounted as a regional production at the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, California in 1997, where it broke box-office records.

David Warren directs. Choreography is by Peter Pucci. Designers are Derek McLane (scenic); David Woolard (costumes); Howard Binkley (lighting), with orchestrations by Don Sebesky.

Harmony's producers are Mark Schwartz, in association with Garry C. Kief and Brent Peek. Richard Jay-Alexander is executive producer.