Staged by Transport Group artistic director Jack Cummings III, And Away We Go is described as a celebration of the history of theatre and the artists who bring it to life. It will officially open Nov. 24. Performances are scheduled through Dec. 15.

In addition to Champlin (Sweeney Todd, Billy Elliot), McNall and Cuskern, the cast includes Rachel Botchan, Carol Schultz and Micah Stock. The actors inhabit over 30 characters in the play.

According to the Pearl, "Times change but life in the theatre remains the same: chaotic, sometimes brutal but often euphoric, too. And Away We Go jumps through time from backstage in ancient Athens to a rehearsal at the Globe, from Versailles' Royal Theater to the first reading of a new play by Chekhov – with an unlikely stop in Coral Gables and the American premiere of Waiting for Godot along the way."

The design team includes Sandra Goldmark (sets), Kathyrn Rohe (costumes), R. Lee Kennedy (lighting) and Michael Rasbury (sound).

McNally is a four-time Tony Award winner for Master Class, Ragtime, Love! Valour! Compassion! and Kiss of the Spider Woman. His works also include The Visit, The Rink, Golden Age, The Lisbon Traviata, Corpus Christi, The Ritz, Deuce, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and Lips Together, Teeth Apart.

The Pearl is located at 555 West 42nd Street. For tickets, visit pearltheatre.org.