"This season is a clear demonstration of our commitment to classical theatre and new play development," said CRT Artistic Director Gary M. English about the 2005 2006 lineup which includes another world premiere and works of William Shakespeare and Stephen Sondheim.

The Main Stage Series will feature Stephen Sondheim's fairy tale musiacl Into The Woods (Dec. 1-9) and Shakespeare's As You Like It (April 20-28, 2006) — both presented in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the Storrs campus of the University of Connecticut .

The other season entries — to play at the new Nafe Katter Theatre — include the Gibson world premiere (Oct. 6-16) and Connecticut playwrights Barbara and Carlton Molette's new work Prudence (Feb. 23-March 5, 2006). Based on true events, this world premiere staging focuses on local heroine Prudence Crandall.

In Jonah's Dream, Gibson paints the story of the biblical tale of Jonah and the Whale. The production — which features a new score composed specifically for it — will be a "mix of theatrical styles from comedy, drama and Yiddish Theatre to vaudeville, musical theatre and puppetry," according to a release. The 91-year-old playwright will be in residence developing the script with CRT's English.

CRT subscriptions will go on sale soon. For more information, call (860) 486-4226 pr visit www.crt.uconn.edu.