Christopher Vettel plays Joltin' Joe, with Pamela Brumley as wife Marilyn Monroe. Performances continue to Dec. 22.

Book, music and lyrics are by Mitchell. Don Johanson directs and choreographs. Musical direction is by Mark Akens.

Subtitled The Man Behind the Myth, the musical "is a splashy, song-and-dance musical featuring the energetic Jazz and Latin rhythms of the '40s, '50s and early '60s," according to Wings Theatre Company, the Off-Off-Broadway troupe that embraces new plays and musicals. "The story focuses on the simple irony that, for all his fame, wealth and glory, he was incapable of enjoying the extraordinary life before him. At the height of his popularity, he was one of the most famous men in America — the toast of Broadway, rivaling Sinatra, Winchell, Dempsey and Hemingway. He was coddled by mobsters and Presidents alike — and then, of course, there was Marilyn."

The cast of 11 also includes Michael Basile as The Shadows, Alissa Alter, Peter Carrier, Andrew Claus, Joe Cummings, Anna Hanson, Stephanie Martinez, John Moss and Matthew Naclerio.

Mitchell's Vincent, based on the life and letters of Van Gogh, was the winner of the OOBR Award for Best Musical in 2003. Some of his other works include They All Knew, the musical Frankenstein and an opera musical, Rappaccini's Daughter, which was produced in September 2007 at Whitney Concert Hall in Las Vegas. Previews for DiMaggio began Nov. 29 toward a Dec. 3 opening at Wings Theatre Company's home at 154 Christopher Street in New York. For more information call (212) 627-2961 or visit www.WingsTheatre.com.

*

DiMaggio is part of Wings Theatre Company's new musicals series. Wings is headed by Jeffrey Corrick, producer.