Photo Flash: First Look at Phillipa Soo and Adam Chandler-Berat in AMELIE!

Currently in previews, Center Theatre Group's production of "Amélie, A New Musical" opens December 16 at the Ahmanson Theatre and continues through January 15, 2017.

Based on the motion picture written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant, "Amélie, A New Musical" will have its Broadway premiere at the Walter Kerr Theatre, beginning performances on March 9, 2017 and opening April 3, 2017.

Amélie captured our hearts in the 2001 French film. Now Amélie (played by Tony Award nominee Phillipa Soo) comes to the stage in an inventive and captivating new musical directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon ("Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," "Clybourne Park"), with a book by three-time Tony Award nominee Craig Lucas ("An American in Paris"), music by Daniel Messé (of the band Hem), lyrics by Nathan Tysen ("Tuck Everlasting") and Daniel Messé, musical staging and choreography by Sam Pinkleton, musical direction by Kimberly Grigsby, vocal arrangements by Kimberly Grigsby and Daniel Messé, and orchestrations by Tony Award winner Bruce Coughlin.

In addition to Phillipa Soo in the title role, the cast will feature, in alphabetical order, Emily Afton, David Andino, Randy Blair, Heath Calvert, Adam Chanler-Berat, Alison Cimmet, Savvy Crawford, Manoel Felciano, Harriett D. Foy, Alyse Alan Louis, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Lily Sanfelippo, Tony Sheldon, Jacob Keith Watson and Paul Whitty.

"Amélie, A New Musical" features scenic and costume design by Tony Award winner David Zinn, co-lighting design by Tony Award nominee Jane Cox and Mark Barton, sound design by Tony Award nominee Kai Harada and projection design by Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini.

The musical follows the mesmerizing journey of the inquisitive and charmingly shy Amélie who turns the streets of Montmartre into a world of her own imagining, while secretly orchestrating moments of joy for those around her. After discovering a mysterious photo album and meeting a handsome stranger, Amélie realizes that helping others is easier than participating in a romantic story of her own.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

L-R: Phillipa Soo and Savvy Crawford in Amelie, A New Musical at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus

Phillipa Soo in Amelie, A New Musical at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Adam Chanler-Berat in Amelie, A New Musical at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Adam Chanler-Berat in Amelie, A New Musical at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Adam Chanler-Berat and Phillipa Soo in Amelie, A New Musical at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus.

L-R: Phillipa Soo and Savvy Crawford in Amelie, A New Musical at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus

The company of Amelie, A New Musical at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Phillipa Soo and Adam Chanler-Berat in Amelie, A New Musical at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. “Amélie, A New Musical� Photo by Joan Marcus