As previously reported, the musical will premiere in January 2011 at Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk, VA.

Here's how the project's commercial producers are characterizing the show: "A stranger comes to a small town with a terrible secret. His presence has unintended consequences for a doctor and his wife. Fear and paranoia grow when a child goes missing. In the end an unbearable loss brings a family and a town back together."

Tony Award nominee Wopat (A Catered Affair, Sondheim on Sondheim, Annie Get Your Gun) plays the title role; the title is a variation on "sick bastard."

The musical will be part of VSC's American Soil project, which explores life in southeastern Virginia. No casting (or creative team) has been announced for the 2011 run.

Hornsby, a Williamsburg, VA, native, had a hit with "The Way It Is," performed by Hornsby and the Range. The singer-musician-writer draws on rock, bluegrass, jazz and more for his sound. The show includes 19 original songs by three-time Grammy Award winner Hornsby. Eight of the songs from SCKBSTD were featured on Hornsby's 2009 recording "Levitate."

The book for SCKBSTD is by Virginian Clay McLeod Chapman (The CMC Pumpkin Pie Show, Hostage Song) with lyrics co-written by Hornsby's longtime friend, fellow Virginian Chip deMatteo.

The May 7 New York City reading cast also includes Michael X. Martin, William Parry, Becky Ann Baker, Anastasia Barzee, Bryan Tyree Henry, Joey Sorge, James Moye, Dalton Harrod, Riley Costello and Brynn Williams.

Musical direction is by Kim Grigsby. This is the third reading for SCKBSTD. The previous readings were held in November 2008 and June 2009.

SCKBSTD is produced by Mike Rafael & David Riemer for Spiral Staircase LLC. The general manager is Roy Gabay. Casting is by Jim Carnahan.