Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman (which also served as the source material for the recent animated film), Coraline features music and lyrics by Merritt and a book by Greenspan. Leigh Silverman directs the show, which is scheduled to officially open June 1 at the Lortel for a run through June 20.

About the casting of Houdyshell as a nine-year-old, director Silverman said in a previous statement, "Coraline is a wildly unconventional musical and having the exquisite Jayne Houdyshell play the precocious nine-year old, gleefully defines the surprising and extraordinary spirit of the piece."

The cast also features Julian Fleisher (Save It for the Stage) as Cat, Francis Jue (Yellow Face) as Father and Miss Forcible, January LaVoy (Home) as Mother and Miss Spink, Elliot Villar (The Brothers Size) as Mr. Bobo and William Youmans (Wicked) as Other Father with librettist Greenspan ( Some Men) as Other Mother.

"Poor bored Coraline. She's left to rattle 'round her perpetually distracted, workaholic parents' house all by her lonesome," according to an MCC release. "But late one night, her dreams of a better reality come true as she opens a big, carved, wooden door at the far end of the drawing room and passes into a perfect replica of her own world... [But] Coraline begins to suspect that, perhaps, all is not as perfect as it seems..."

Coraline was originally commissioned by St. Ann's Warehouse, in association with Meet the Composer. The Off-Broadway run is produced in association with True Love Productions. The 90-minute, intermissionless show is recommended "for children 8 years of age or older," according to a note from MCC. "Children under 5 are not permitted in the theater." For tickets to Coraline at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher Street, call (212) 279-4200. For more information visit mcctheater.org.