By Kenneth Jones
26 Jan 2009

Writers' Theatre in Glencoe, IL, has announced casting for the world premiere of A Minister's Wife, the new Austin Pendleton-penned musical inspired by George Bernard Shaw's Candida.

The acclaimed emerging composer Josh Schmidt (Adding Machine) wrote the music, with lyrics by Jan Tranen. Pendleton (Orson's Shadow) adapted the script from Shaw's 1897 play (which was revised in 1930) about a young poet who comes between a minister and his wife, Candida, who is invited to choose between the men.

Performances will play the Writers' Theatre's home at 325 Tudor Court, in Glencoe, May 19-July 19.

For the production, Michael Halberstam will direct a company that includes Kevin Gudahl as Rev. James Mavor Morrell, Kate Fry as his wife, Candida, Alan Schmuckler as poet Eugene Marchbanks, Liz Baltes as Miss Proserpine Garnett and John Sanders as Rev. Alexander Mill.

According to Writers' Theatre, "After his unanimously acclaimed New York debut, Adding Machine, Writers' Theatre associate artist Josh Schmidt has become the most eagerly anticipated young musical theatre composer in the country. A poet, a preacher and his wife enter into a delicious conflict when a fantastical assumption turns an ordinary day topsy turvy."

The production team for A Minister's Wife includes scenic designer Brian Sidney Bembridge, lighting designer Keith Parham, costume designer Rachel Anne Healy and sound designer Josh Schmidt.

Visit www.writerstheatre.org.