Ritchie, who has appeared on Broadway in Dracula, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Little Shop of Horrors, leads a cast that includes Dreamgirls Tony winner Cleavant Derricks as well as Beth Malone (Ring of Fire), Joanna Glushak (Hairspray) and Dana Meller (The Full Monty). Completing the cast are John Allsopp, Suzanne Carlton, Paul Denniston, Megan S. Densmore, Janet Fontaine, Alex Robert Holmes, J.R. Mangels, Karesa McElheny, Sabrina Miller, Billie Puyear, Jay Willick and Jonathan Zenz.
Based on the novel by Bill Fitzhugh, Pest Control "is the story of a New York City exterminator, Bob Dillon, who is misidentified by not only the underworld but also by the CIA as being a notorious and elusive professional assassin," according to press notes.
An official opening has been set for April 25 with performances scheduled through June 8.
The new musical features a book by John Moors, with a rock score by Vladamir Shainskiy and additional music and lyrics by Scott DeTurk and tea & tonik. Pest Control is directed and choreographed by James J. Mellon.
The design team includes Eugene Caine-Epstein (set design), Scott Lane (costume design), Luke Moyer (lighting design), Jonathan Burke (sound design) and Diane Martinous (hair and make-up design).
The Noho Arts Center is located at 11136 Magnolia Blvd. at Lankershim in North Hollywood. For tickets and further information phone (818) 508-7101 or visit www.thenohoartscenter.com.