Previews Begin for GIANT at the Public Theater Tonight, 10/26

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will begin previews for the New York premiere production of GIANT, an epic love story with book by Sybille Pearson and music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, tonight, October 26. Directed by Michael Greif, GIANT runs through Sunday, December 2 in The Public's Newman Theater at its Astor Place home, with an official press opening on Tuesday, November 13. Tickets are on sale now at (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater box office.

The complete cast of GIANT features Enrique Acevedo (Miguel); Raul Aranas (Polo); Mary Bacon (Adarene, Mrs. Lynnton); Kate Baldwin (Leslie); Miguel Cervantes (Angel); Natalie Cortez (Juana); Rocio Del Mar Valles (Analita); John Dossett (Bawley); Jon Fletcher (Bobby Jr., Bobby Sr.); PJ Griffith (Jett); Michael Halling (Lord Karfrey, Lynnton); Brian d'Arcy James (Bick); Mackenzie Mauzy (Lil Luz); Doreen Montalvo (Lupe); Michele Pawk (Luz); Allison Rogers (Heidi, Lady Karfrey); Isabel Santiago (Deluvina); Martin Sola (DiModeo); Bobby Steggert (Jordy Jr.); Matthew Stocke (Mike); Katie Thompson (Vashti); and William Youmans (Pinkie).

The Public Theater will also present post-show discussions following select performances with the artists from GIANT on Wednesday, November 7 and Tuesday, November 20. The talkbacks following these performances are included with the price of admission.

Based on the classic novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edna Ferber, GIANT is a new American musical that spans generations in an epic chronicle of the state that's like no place else on earth: Texas. Amid a turbulent culture of greed, bigotry and money, a powerful cattleman, his new East Coast bride, their family and friends – not to mention their enemies – embrace and confront the joys and sorrows that loom as large as the state they call home. With a book by Sybille Pearson (the Tony-nominated author of Baby), music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa (the five-time Tony-nominated composer of The Wild Party and Hello Again) and direction by Michael Greif (the three-time Tony-nominated director of Rent and The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide…), GIANT will come to life in an appropriately huge production with a company of 22 actors and a 17-piece orchestra. GIANT is a co-production with Dallas Theater Center and continues The Public's tradition of partnering with non-profit theaters around the country.

The Public Theater has a long history of producing new musicals, and is the only theater in New York City that presents Shakespeare and the classics, musicals, new works, and experimental theater in equal measure.

GIANT features scenic design by Allen Moyer; costume design by Jeff Mahshie; lighting design by Kenneth Posner; sound design by Brian Ronan; hair and wig design by David BrIan Brown; musical direction by Chris Fenwick; and choreography by Alex Sanchez.