Following a 2007 world premiere at California's TheatreWorks, Emma features original cast members Lianne Marie Dobbs (Emma) and Timothy Gulan (Mr. Knightley), who reprise their roles for the St. Louis engagement.

TheatreWorks founding artistic director Robert Kelley directs the production that runs through Nov. 2 at the Loretto-Hilton Center. Performances began Oct. 8.

The Rep production is a co-presentation with Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park, where Emma played a limited engagement in September. Representatives from the Rep state that Emma continues to be streamlined, and will feature new work since the Cincinnati production.

The cast of Emma also features Dani Marcus as Harriet Smith, Richert Easley as Mr. Woodhouse, Suzanne Grodner as Miss Bates, Julie Hanson as Jane Fairfax, Brian Herndon as Mr. Elton, Erin Maguire as Mrs. Elton and Mrs. Churchill, Donna Weinsting as Mrs. Bates, Alex Organ as Robert Martin, Travis Poelle as Frank Churchill, Christianne Tisdale as Mrs. Weston, Kurt Zischke as Mr. Weston, with Michael Brightman, Sam Hay, Aaron Sitrick, Josie Adams and Courtney Halford.

According to production notes, "Emma firmly believes herself to be a most talented matchmaker and chooses her hapless and easily influenced friend Harriet as her next endeavor. Yet despite Emma's obsession with romance, she remains clueless about her own feelings and the true desires of those around her. Her matchmaking mischief leads to countless comic complications and a little heartache but ultimately ends in true love." Designing Emma are John Ezell (set design), Fumiko Bielefeldt (costume design), Dennis Parichy (lighting design), Michael Miceli (sound design) and Laura Bergquist (music director).

Gordon, who penned book, music and lyrics for Emma, earned a Tony nomination for the score of Jane Eyre. His works for the stage also include the forthcoming musicals The Front and Daddy-Long-Legs, as well as Greetings From Venice Beach, Daddy Long Legs and The Magnificent Ambersons. He has written for artists including Bette Midler, Quincy Jones, Alanis Morrisette, Smokey Robinson and Dionne Warwick.

For tickets, phone (314) 968-4925 or visit The Rep's online box office at www.repstl.org.