Playwright Lombardo, who was most recently represented on Broadway with Looped, developed the play for Turner. She'll play Sister Jamison Connelly, a nun whose faith is tested when she takes in a young man struggling with addiction. Jonigkeit has been cast as the young addict, with Berresse ([title of show], A Chorus Line) as Connelly's colleague Father Michael Delpapp.

Rob Ruggiero, who also staged Looped, will direct High, which will run July 2-Aug. 22. The co-production will also play Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (Sept. 4-Oct. 2) and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (Oct. 13-Nov. 7). There are also commercial producers attached, aiming to bring High to New York City in early 2011.

The design team will include Tony Award winner David Gallo (scenic design), Tony Award winner Jess Goldstein (costume design), John Lasiter (lighting design) and Vincent Oliveri (sound design).

According to press notes, "when Sister Jamison Connelly (Turner) agrees to sponsor a nineteen year-old drug-user in an effort to help him combat his addiction, her own faith is ultimately tested. Struggling between the knowledge she possesses as a rehabilitation counselor and a woman of religious conviction, she begins to question the belief in miracles and whether people can find the courage to change. High explores the universal themes of truth, forgiveness, redemption and human fallibility."

Lombardo's Tallulah Bankhead-inspired work Looped played a brief Broadway engagement this season with Valerie Harper as the iconic actress. His plays also include the Katharine Hepburn bio-play Tea at Five. Tickets to High at TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl Street in Hartford, CT, are available by calling (860) 527-7838.

For more information visit the TheaterWorks website at theaterworkshartford.org.