Producers of the musical announced Sept. 15 that they plan to present the musical on Broadway next year. In a statement producer Barry Funt said, "Our run at the Zipper Theatre was the initial part of the process in readying the show for Broadway. We are thrilled with the audience response to this musical. After our run at the Zipper concludes, we are all ready to roll up our sleeves and prepare Once Around the Sun for Broadway audiences in fall 2006."

Once Around the Sun feature a score by Robert Morris, Steven Morris and Joe Shane and a book by Kellie Overbey. The cast — directed by Jace Alexander — comprises Somers, Days, Caren Lyn Manuel, Kevin Mambo, John Hickok, Jesse Lenat and Wes Little. The production was recently extended and will play the Zipper through Oct. 16.

Once Around the Sun, according to production notes, concerns "an invitation from a beautiful stranger [that] offers a struggling New York musician the opportunity to escape his disappointments and take a leap of faith into his dream — but at the risk of betraying family, life-long friends and true love. Seduced by his desire to finally be heard, he makes some unexpected choices and ultimately discovers the flight to glory is nothing like he could have ever imagined."

The creative team comprises Beowulf Borritt (scenic design), Daniel Lawson (costume design), Jason Lyons (lighting design), T. Richard Fitzgerald (sound design), Henry Aronson (musical direction) and David Spinozza (musical supervision).

The Zipper Theatre is located in Manhattan at 336 West 37th Street. The Once Around the Sun performance schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 and 8 PM and Sundays at 3 and 7 PM. Tickets, priced at $60, are available by calling (212) 239 6200. *

In related news, a portion of the mezzanine seats at each performance of Once Around the Sun will be available for a minimum donation of $10. All proceeds from those seats will be donated to the American Red Cross.