The show, inspired by the Alexandre Dumas novel, has music by Jeffrey Campos and book and lyrics by Shad Olsen.

It will be presented at the Lamb's Theatre off Times Square 7 PM Feb. 13. The director is Brian Swasey of the Astoria Performing Arts Center, with musical direction by Phillip Kirchman.

"The Man in the Iron Mask follows the story of Philippe, a sheltered boy who has grown up in exile because he is the identical twin to the king of France," according to the creators. "As a second heir to the kingdom, he is considered a threat by the king and locked into an iron mask to conceal his identity. The Three Musketeers, now retired from duty, reunite to save Philippe and overthrow the tyrannical king. In the short course of the mission, Philippe experiences the world that has been kept from him, and he rises above it as a man worthy of the crown."

Behind the Iron Mask, a London musical drawn from the same tale, opened — and closed — in August 2005.

Casting for this American presentation is ongoing. For more information, write [email protected]. *

The first act of The Man in the Iron Mask was tested in an Equity-approved reading in Manhattan May 26-27, 2005. Swasey directed a 20-actor cast that included Michael Marcotte, Shad Olsen, Kristian Lazzaro, Nick Dalton, Danny Rothman, Chaz Elliott, James DiMarino, Tommy Labanaris, Caroline Altman, Jason Bratton, Joshua Dixon, Laura Daniel, Dana Hart, Courtenay Schowalter, Deborah Grausman, Michelle Doucet, Marc Donovan, Lili Corn, Joe Cantalupo and Gretchen Mundinger.

The writers have been working over the past year to develop the musical and exploit the style and romance of Dumas' "D'Artagnan" stories and "the action and sweep of the cinematic renditions," according to a statement.