The production begins performances in Newcastle Sept. 12, prior to an official opening Sept. 18 for a run through Sept. 27, then plays in Northampton Oct. 1-18 and Manchester Oct. 30-Nov. 29.

James Dacre, artistic director of Royal & Derngate, will direct a cast that features Broadway and West End performer Kim Criswell as Big Mama, Mariah Gale as Maggie the Cat, Charles Aitken as Brick and Daragh O'Malley as Big Daddy. Also in the cast are Victoria Elliott as Mae, Matthew Douglas as Gooper, Kieron Jecchinis as Doctor Baugh and Sean Murray as Reverend Tooker.

Criswell, whose Broadway credits include The First, Nine, Baby, Stardust and 3 Penny Opera, was Olivier-nominated for playing the title role in Annie Get Your Gun in the West End. She has also appeared in Candide for La Scala and The Sound of Music for Le Chatalet in Paris.

O'Mally won a Drama Logue Award for Best Actor for Dealer's Choice in Los Angeles, and has also appeared with the RSC. His screen credits include "Sharpe," "The Long Good Friday" and "Withnail and I."

Gale has appeared regularly with the RSC, where she has played such roles as Juliet, Ophelia, Miranda and Portia. She has also been seen in the West End in The Sea and in Vernon God Little (Young Vic). Aitken was last seen on the London stage in All My Sons at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park and Sweet Bird of Youth at the Old Vic.

The production is designed by Mike Britton, with lighting by Richard Howell and sound by Emma Laxton. Original music will be composed by the MOJO and Q Award-winning band White Lies.

To book tickets, contact the box offices for the venues: Newcastle, 0191 230 5151 or www.northernstage.co.uk; Northampton, 01604 624811 or www.royalandderngate.co.uk; Manchester, 0161 833 9833 or www.royalexchange.co.uk.