American Idol Runner-Up Justin Guarini Joins Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

American Idol first season runner-up Justin Guarini completes the cast of Lincoln Center Theater's forthcoming world premiere Broadway production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. The new musical will begin previews on October 2 and open on November 4 at the Belasco Theatre, directed by Bartlett Sher.

Guarini joins previously announced stars de’Adre Aziza (Paulina), Laura Benanti (Candela), Danny Burstein, Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Marisa), Patti LuPone (Lucia), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ivan), Mary Beth Peil and Sherie Rene Scott (Pepa). The cast will also include Julio Agustin, Alma Cuervo, John Carroll, Murphy Guyer, Rachel Bay Jones, Nina Lafarga, Yanira Marin, Sean McCort, Vivian Nixon, Luis Salgado, Jennifer Maria Sanchez, John Schiappa, Samantha Shafer, Phillip Spaeth and Charlie Sutton. Guarini will play the role of Carlos, the son of Ivan and Lucia.

Based on Pedro Almodóvar’s acclaimed 1988 film, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown will feature a book by Jeffrey Lane and music and lyrics by David Yasbek, who collaborated on Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The show is set in late 20th-century Madrid and tells the story of the intertwining lives of a group of women (Scott, Aziza, Benanti, Lanzarone and LuPone) whose relationships with men lead to a tumultuous 48 hours of love, confusion and passion.

After coming in second to Kelly Clarkson in the first season of American Idol, Guarini released two studio recordings (Justin Guarini and Stranger Things Have Happened) and is working on a third. He has hosted shows on the TV Guide Channel and starred in the films From Justin to Kelly and Fast Girl.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown will have choreography by Christopher Gattelli, musical direction by Jim Abbott, sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Brian MacDevitt and sound by Scott Lehrer.