Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Arkansas Rep's BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, Playing thru Jan 5

BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, with a book and lyrics by Nell Benjamin and music by Duncan Sheik, and based on the popular 2000 novel by Kate DeCamillo, is playing in its world premiere this winter at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, with AVENUE Q's John Tartaglia at the helm. The production is set to run now through January 5, 2013. Scroll down for a photos of the cast below!

BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE tells the story of lonely young girl who moves to Florida with her father. She goes into the Winn-Dixie supermarket and comes out with a large stray dog who helps her rekindle an almost lost relationship with her father.

Taran and Cally, two Irish Wolfhounds, have been cast in the title role of "Winn-Dixie," trained by Broadway's foremost animal trainer, Bill Berloni. This will be the first pre-Broadway musical starring a live dog as the central character.

Advance Season Subscriptions for the Arkansas Rep are on sale now and will range from $180 - $260 through March 31, making subscribing to The Rep the best way to get the best seats at the best price ahead of sellout shows. Subscription pricing will go up in April. Single ticket sales open to the public in August. Call The Rep's Box Office at (501) 378-0405 for more information on Season Subscriptions or visit www.therep.org.

Photo Credit: Cindy Momchilov/Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

Taran as Winn Dixie

Taran as Winn Dixie

Julia Nightingale Landfair as Opal with Taran as Winn Dixie

Julia Nightingale Landfair as Opal with Taran as Winn Dixie

Julia Nightingale Landfair as Opal with Taran as Winn Dixie

Danny Phillips (Stevie), Riley Costello (Dunlap Dewberry), Julia Nightingale Landfair (Opal), Imari Hardon (Amanda) and Sydni Whitfield (Sweetie Pie)

Danny Phillips (Stevie), Riley Costello (Dunlap Dewberry), Julia Nightingale Landfair (Opal), Imari Hardon (Amanda) and Sydni Whitfield (Sweetie Pie)

Danny Phillips (Stevie), Riley Costello (Dunlap Dewberry), Julia Nightingale Landfair (Opal), Imari Hardon (Amanda) and Sydni Whitfield (Sweetie Pie)

Danny Phillips (Stevie), Riley Costello (Dunlap Dewberry), Julia Nightingale Landfair (Opal), Imari Hardon (Amanda) and Sydni Whitfield (Sweetie Pie)

Julia Nightingale Landfair (Opal) with Jonathan Rayson (Preacher)

Julia Nightingale Landfair (Opal), Taran (Winn Dixie) and Jonathan Rayson (Preacher)

Jonathan Rayson (Preacher), Taran (Winn Dixie) and Julia Nightingale Landfair (Opal)

BACK: Danny Phillips (Stevie), Riley Costello (Dunlap Dewberry), Imari Hardon (Amanda) and Sydni Whitfield (Sweetie Pie). FRONT: Jonathan Rayson (Preacher), Taran (Winn Dixie) and Julia Nightingale Landfair (Opal)

BACK: Danny Phillips (Stevie), Riley Costello (Dunlap Dewberry), Imari Hardon (Amanda) and Sydni Whitfield (Sweetie Pie). FRONT: Jonathan Rayson (Preacher), Taran (Winn Dixie) and Julia Nightingale Landfair (Opal)