Michael Hayden Set for Dessa Rose Cast

Michael Hayden is set to join LaChanze and Rachel York in the new Lynn Ahrens/Stephen Flaherty musical Dessa Rose at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, a production spokesperson confirmed. Broadway.com has learned that Tina Fabrique, Norm Lewis and Eric Jordan Young are also expected to appear in the tuner.

Hayden is a Lincoln Center Theater alum--he earned a Theatre World Award for his performance in the Royal National Theatre/LCT revival of Carousel, was featured in the company's acclaimed Henry IV last season, and previously appeared at the Mitzi E. Newhouse in Far East. Hayden received a Tony nomination for his performance as Oscar Rolfe in Judgment at Nuremberg and was also featured on Broadway in Cabaret and Enchanted April.

Fabrique has appeared on Broadway in Truly Blessed, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk and Ahrens and Flaherty's Ragtime. Her off-Broadway credits include Angel Levine. A gospel singer, her solo album He's Able was released in 1994.

Lewis has appeared on the Great White Way in Amour, The Wild Party, Side Show, Miss Saigon, The Who's Tommy and Chicago. His off-Broadway credits include Captains Courageous, A New Brain and the Encores! mounting of Golden Boy. Among his notable regional theater credits is the National Black Arts Festival production of Dreamgirls opposite Jennifer Holliday, the Paper Mill Playhouse production of Baby and a recent North Carolina mounting of Ragtime with Julia Murney.

Young, who was recently featured in the Stephen Sondheim revue Opening Doors at Carnegie Hall, has appeared on Broadway in Chicago in which he has played various roles, including lawyer Billy Flynn, Ragtime, Seussical and The Look of Love. He has also been seen in off-Broadway productions of Mr. President and Little Fish. Young's regional theater credits include the Signature Theater production of Side Show for which he won the 2001 Helen Hayes Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Resident Musical, Starlight Express, Dreamgirls, Big River and Hair.

This musical Dessa Rose is based on Sherley A. Williams' novel of the same name. It tells the story of a runaway slave LaChanze and the woman York who harbors her on a secluded farm. Hayden will play Adam Nehemiah, an author who is writing a book on escaped slaves.

Dessa Rose, directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele, will begin performances off-Broadway at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre on February 17 in preparation for a March 21 opening.

No casting beyond LaChanze, York and Hayden could be confirmed.