Obie Award winner Alex Timbers will direct Boom, a new comedy by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb that will play the New York venue March 5-April 13. Boom, according to press notes, is described as such: "Something is about to explode and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. It's going to be one hell of a blind date." Playwright Nachtrieb is the winner of the ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award.

The new musical Jollyship the Whiz-Bang, which features book and lyrics by Nick Jones and music by Jollyship the Whiz-Bang, will play the Ars Nova May 14-June 29. Directed by Sam Gold, the "underground-pirate-puppet-rock spectacular" concerns a sinking ship, a drunk captain and a band on the verge of mutiny.

As previously announced, Ars Nova is also co-producing the world premiere of Liz Flahive's From Up Here, which will play Manhattan Theatre Club's Stage 1 March 27-June 1. Leigh Silverman directs the "darkly funny and unexpectedly moving family story."

Ars Nova's 2008 season will also boast the launch of the A.N.T. FEST, an annual six-week festival of "craziness presenting a cross-section of Ars Nova's signature aesthetic." The festival, which runs Oct. 16-Nov. 24, will feature performers from all disciplines and will offer a different show each night.

The Ars Nova is located in Manhattan at 511 West 54th Street. For more information call (212) 977-1700 or visit www.arsnovanyc.com.