Alan Menken, Brian Yorkey & Jessie Nelson Working on CORRINA, CORRINA Musical for Audra McDonald

Earlier today it was announced that The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, will present the world premiere of Waitress- a new musical directed by Diane Paulus and featuring book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. This wasn't the only big news from Nelson though. Nelson, who wrote, directed, and produced Corrina Corrina with Whoopi Golberg, is in the process of writing a musical version for Audra McDonald, with Alan Menken and Brian Yorkey. She is also co-writing Alice By Heart with Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik.

Ms. Nelson began her career in the theater working with Mabou Mines. She also wrote, directed, and produced I Am Sam with Sean Penn, who received an academy award nomination for his performance. She co-wrote Step Mom and The Story of Us, and produced Fred Claus. This past year she produced Danny Collin with Al Pacino. Currently, she is directing Let It Snow with John Goodman and Diane Keaton.

Corrina, Corrina is a 1994 American feature film set in 1959 about a widower (Ray Liotta) who hires a housekeeper/nanny (Whoopi Goldberg) to care for his daughter (Tina Majorino). It was written and directed by Nelson, in her feature film directing debut.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski