The musical, which opens March 9 and runs through March 25, is based on the 1971 Hal Ashby movie "Harold & Maude," which starred Bud Cort as a death-obsessed teen and Ruth Gordon as the 79-year-old he befriends at a funeral.

Music is by Joseph Thalken (Was, presented at the Loft Theatre in 2004) and lyrics and book are by Tom Jones (The Fantasticks).

Revisions have been made for the production, including changes to dialogue, plus a slide show to start both acts, designed to give the audience more information on Harold's childhood before Act One and his experiences with Maude before Act Two. The orchestrations have been reduced so that the music can be played by four musicians. This production will use the version of the show that Music Theatre International will license.

The director of the production is Kevin Moore, the Human Race Theatre Company's executive director. The Equity troupe is known for its commitment to the development of new musicals on its mainstage season and in workshops and readings.

Susan Lehman (upcoming Disney film "Enchanted," Tzeitel in the first national tour of Fiddler on the Roof) will play Maude. Justin Schultz (New York Theatre Workshop's The Beard of Avon) will play Harold, Patricia Linhart will play Harold's mother, and Katie Pees and Scott Stoney will play multiple roles. The Loft Theatre is located at 126 North Main Street in Dayton, OH. Tickets are on sale at (937) 228-3630 or toll free at (888) 228-3630, or at www.ticketcenterstage.com. For more information visit www.victoriatheatre.com.