Jean Louisa Kelly, star of ABC's new sitcom, "Yes, Dear," and the film, "The Fantasticks," is the title character in the York Theatre Company's production of The IT Girl, a new musical, April 17-May 27.

BT McNicholl, a protégé of Jerry Zaks (who is "production consultant"), directs the Off-Broadway staging, which is billed as "a Jazz Age Cinderella musical based on 'It,' the 1927 film that made Clara Bow a star." The homage to silent movies has a poor shopgirl falling for the dashing head of the department store. It is the New York theatre's first dose of Roaring '20s music and style this year, prior to the fall Broadway opening of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

The cast includes Kelly in the title role (as a young actress, she appeared on Broadway in Into the Woods), Jessica Boevers (Rent, Les Miserables), Stephen DeRosa (Newyorkers), Jonathan Dokuchitz (Bubbly Black Girl...), Susan M. Haefner (State Fair), Danette Holden (Paper Mill's Follies) and Monte Wheeler.

Albin Konopka musical directs. Designers are Mark Hayden (set), Robin L. McGee (costume), Jeff Nellis (lighting) and Elaine J. McCarthy (projection).

McNicholl co-wrote the show's book with Michael Small and penned lyrics to composer Paul McKibbins' score. Official opening is May 3 at the York's space at Theatre at St. Peter's Church, in the Citicorp Building. Tickets are $45-$50. Citicorp Center is at Lexington Avenue at 54th Street in Manhattan. For information, call (212) 935 5824.

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The York is devoted to staging new and classic musicals in an intimate setting.

— By Kenneth Jones