Broadway veteran James Barbour will star in the world premiere musical Nightmare Alley, featuring music, books and lyrics by Jonathan Brielle. Gilbert Cates will direct the production, to play the Geffen Playhouse, April 13-May 13, with an opening on April 21.

Based on the eponymous novel by William Lindsay Gresham, the musical is set against the shadowy world of the traveling carnivals and tented churches that dominated the Dust Bowl era. Barbour stars as Stan Carlisle, the con turned carnie and back again, who falls in love with Molly, the dark darling of the traveling carnival.

The cast will also include Melody Buitu (Tarot Lady), Larry Cedar (Pete/Sheriff/Addie Peabody), Michael McCarty (Clem/ Ezra Grimble), Mary Gordan Murray (Zeena/ Dr. Lilith Ritter), Anise E. Ritchie (Tarot Lady), Leslie Stevens (Tarot Lady), and Alet Taylor (Tarot Lady). The role of Molly will be announced at a later date.

The creative team will include Gerald Sternbach (music director), John Arnone (set), Christina Haatainen Jones (costumes), Daniel Ionazzi (lighting), and Brian Hsieh (sound).

For more information, visit www.geffenplayhouse.com.