Edie Falco and Alan Cumming Announced in New Group’s Lineup

The New Group’s coming season will include a musical version of “Clueless,” a play by Jesse Eisenberg and new works starring Edie Falco and Alan Cumming.

“I’m trying to present a season that’s going to counter the anxieties that everybody’s having in the world,” Scott Elliott, the New Group’s artistic director, said in a phone interview. “I decided this year to make offerings that were going to take people into different worlds and hopefully cheer them up and make them think about things that are beyond the day-to-day drudge of the news cycle,” he added.

Amy Heckerling’s “Clueless, The Musical” will begin in November. Based on the 1995 film written and directed by Ms. Heckerling, the musical tells the story of Cher, a Beverly Hills high school student who plays matchmaker for her friends before realizing that she, too, wants a romantic connection. The show’s songs are adapted versions of ’90s pop hits with new lyrics by Ms. Heckerling. Kelly Devine will provide choreography, and Kristin Hanggi will direct.

“The True” by Sharr White starts the company’s season in September. Ms. Falco of “The Sopranos” and “Nurse Jackie” will star as a Democratic political operative struggling to defend her candidate, played by Michael McKean, from a tough primary challenge in 1970s Albany. Mr. Elliott will direct the world-premiere production.

The New Group will team up with Vineyard Theater for the season’s third production, Jeremy O. Harris’s new play, “Daddy,” directed by Danya Taymor. Mr. Cumming will play a wealthy patron who seduces a young black artist named Franklin. Over time, the couple’s bond deepens from a fraught, erotic connection into a meaningful relationship — which is then challenged upon the arrival of the artist’s Christian mother. Performances will begin in February 2019.

Mr. Eisenberg’s “Yea, Sister!” rounds out the season. The world-premiere play about a suburban woman’s efforts to take care of her family while starring in a community-theater production of “South Pacific” will begin performances in April 2019. Mr. Eisenberg of “The Social Network” has collaborated with the New Group before; he starred in its production of his play “The Spoils” a few season ago.

All performances will take place at the Pershing Square Signature Center. For more information, visit TheNewGroup.org.

Repost from NYT.