World Premiere of Iowa Off-Broadway Will Star Jill Shackner, Karyn Quackenbush & More

The cast is now set for the previously announced world premiere of Iowa, a new musical play by Jenny Schwartz featuring music by Todd Almond and lyrics by both. Ken Rus Schmoll will direct a company that includes Jill Shackner, Karyn Quackenbush and Lee Sellars. The Playwrights Horizons production will begin performances on March 20 at off-Broadway’s Peter Jay Sharp Theater. The play will open officially on April 13 and run through May 10.

Shackner made her Broadway debut in the original production of Les Miserables, and has since appeared off-Broadway in Landscape of the Body and Hereafter Musical. Quackenbush’s Broadway credits include Bronx Bombers, Imaginary Friends, Annie Get Your Gun and Blood Brothers. Sellars returns to Playwrights Horizons after appearing in Gun-shy; his additional credits include Talk Radio, A Time to Kill and West Side Story on Broadway.

Iowa follows Becca (Shackner), who, after her mom (Quackenbush) meets her Iowan soulmate (Sellars) on Facebook, is forced to say goodbye to her friends, teachers and teenage life and embark on a new, uncharted beginning. Additional cast members include Cindy Cheung, April Matthis, Annie McNamara, Carolina Sanchez and Kolette Tetlow. The production will feature scenic design by Dane Laffrey, costumes, by Arnulfo Maldonado, lighting design by Tyler Micoleau and sound design by Daniel Kluger.