Producer Roger Berlind, who is teaming with Daryl Roth, Roger Horchow and the Center Theatre Group, are prepared to transfer the show to Broadway as early as late fall, providing they can find a suitable (and open) stage for the projected $10 million musical. If not, Berlind told the trade mag, the team is willing to hold off until the spring.

Scott Ellis (Twelve Angry Men, The Little Dog Laughed) will direct the debut at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre. The long-developing musical comedy, a backstage murder-mystery, begins previews July 25 and opens August 9 for a run through Sept. 10.

Set in 1959's Boston, Curtains finds itself at a pre-Broadway tryout of a new musical "where it's literally 'curtains' for the leading lady who dies mysteriously onstage during the applause at the end of the show."

The entire company—the producer (Monk), the songwriters, the director, the actors, the stage manager—are possible suspects and each has an motive to be sorted out by a local detective (Pierce).

The detective, of course, "is a fervent musical theatre fan, [who] allows the company to continue rehearsing while he conducts his murder investigation," according to CTG. "He soon finds himself in the middle of the uproarious bedlam of theatrical egos and eccentricities, more murders and even a budding love affair." Jason Danieley Noah Racey, Jill Paice, John Bolton, Michael X. Martin, Michael McCormick, Megan Sikora and Robert Walden are also featured in the cast. The ensemble will include Nili Bassman, Ward Billeisen, Jennifer Dunne, David Eggers, J. Austin Eyer, Matt Farnsworth, Patty Goble, Mary Ann Lamb, Brittany Marcin, Jim Newman, Jessica Lea Patty, Joe Aaron Reid, Darcie Roberts and Christopher Spaulding.

Curtains marks one of the last collaborations by one of the longest-running songwriting teams in Broadway history - composer Kander and lyricist Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago, Zorba, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Woman of the Year). Their The Visit was produced by The Goodman Theatre in Chicago but did not move to a New York run. Ebb died in 2004.

Rupert Holmes provides the book to Curtains featuring music by John Kander, lyrics by the late Fred Ebb and an original book and concept by the late Peter Stone. Additional lyrics by John Kander and Rupert Holmes. Ellis directs with Rob Ashford serving as choreographer.

Tickets to Curtains are currently available at the Center Theatre Group box office or by calling CTG Audience Services at (213) 628-2772. For more information, go online to www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.