In the city where the University of Michigan seems to be the cultural center of everything, the indie Equity troupe will also serve "the hottest hits from New York."

Artistic director Carla Milarch stated, "We are always passionate in our commitment to bringing you what's new and cutting-edge in the world of live theatre, but this year we are raising the bar that much further. There is so much great work being generated in the field, and in many cases, Performance Network is the only place in Michigan where you will be able to see it."

In addition to presenting the Pulitzer Prize winner Doubt by John Patrick Shanley and the Pulitzer finalist The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl, the Network will stage Douglas Carter Beane's The Little Dog Laughed; the Michigan premiere of Stephen Temperley's play with music Souvenir; and the Stephen Schwartz-Joseph Stein musical The Baker's Wife.

Malcolm Tulip will develop, direct and star in a new work "that incorporates avant-garde physical theatre techniques developed by the legendary Jacques LeCoq." Billed as a clown comedy, it's called The Day Everything Went Wrong, and it will launch in August 2008. It will feature Tulip and Brendan McMahon, with original music by Frank Pahl.

In the "classics" department, Performance Network will offer the world premiere of actress/director/playwright Gillian Eaton's adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear, entitled Lear, starring Eaton herself in the title role. The piece is a reworking of the classic text with several of the key men's roles cast as women. It begins in April 2008.