As previously announced, the famed Leonard Bernstein-Betty Comden-Adolph Green musical On the Town will kick off the Encores! season as part of the city-wide celebration of the the late Bernstein's 90th birthday. The New York City-themed musical — about three sailors on leave in Manhattan — will play City Center Nov. 19-23.

Music in the Air, which features music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, has been restored by the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and will be presented Feb. 5-8, 2009. The musical, according to press notes, "tells of an aging rural music teacher, his naively charming daughter and their misadventures trying to break into the cynical, world-weary theatre scene in the big city." Songs include "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star" and "The Song Is You."

The Encores! season will conclude with Finian's Rainbow, which was penned by Burton Lane (music), E.Y. Harburg (lyrics) and Harburg and Fred Saidy (book). Rainbow, which will be seen at City Center March 26-29, 2009, concerns "Irishman Finian McLonergan, and his daughter Sharon who arrive in the small Southern town of Rainbow Valley in the mythical state of Missitucky, with plans to bury a stolen pot of gold in the shadows of Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief it will grow and multiply. They have been followed from Ireland by the owner of the gold, a leprechaun, who shows up determined to recover his treasure." Songs include "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?," "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love" and "If This Isn't Love."

Rob Berman will music direct and conduct all three productions. Casting and creative teams will be announced at a later time.

Tickets for the 2008-2009 Encores! season are available by visiting the City Center box office (West 55th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues), by calling (212) 581-1212 or by visiting www.nycitycenter.org.