Sign in to your TheaterMania account

The Cherry Lane Theatre has announced dates and initial casting for its 12th annual Mentor Project series of productions.

The series will begin with Ruth McKee's Stray, to run March 16-27. Giovanna Sardelli will direct the production. Stray, which has been mentored by David Henry Hwang, focuses on a couple who must confront the challenges of child-rearing when their adopted son from Uganda is threatened with expulsion from his school. The company will feature Emily Ackerman, Brianne Bergson, Antony Hagopian, Petronia Paley, and Lisa Ramirez.

Next up is Nate Rufus Edelman's The Belle of Belfast (April 27-May 8), which was mentored by Charles Fuller. The piece centers on a young woman whose parents have been killed by a terrorist's bomb. The production will be directed by Eric Tucker and will feature Evan Thompson, Elvy Yost, Katie Fabel, Sam Redford, and Terry Donnelly.

Winter Miller's Paternity (May 18-29) is about a woman who wants to have a baby and be a single mother, and the man who happens to love her madly and challenges her decision. The play has been mentored by Craig Lucas, who will also direct. The company will feature Daphne Rubin-Vega. Additional casting will be announced at later date.

The creative team for all three productions will include Kina Park and John McDermott (scenic design), Rebecca Bernstein (costume design), Pat Dignan (lighting design), and Daniel Kluger (sound design).

For further information, visit www.cherrylanetheatre.org.