The American actress who originated the role of The Little Mermaid on Broadway will play Sharon, acting (and singing) opposite Tony Award winner Tyne Daly in Terrence McNally's biographical play about a tension-filled Juilliard master class with the legendary opera star. Audra McDonald originated the role of Sharon, and won a Tony Award for it.

Additional casting for the Manhattan Theatre Club production (which begins May 24 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre) will be announced. Opening night is June 21.

Boggess recently received an Olivier Award nomination as Best Actress in a Musical for her work in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies. For The Little Mermaid, she was nominated for Drama Desk and Drama League awards. Boggess also played Christine in the Las Vegas production of The Phantom of the Opera.

Stephen Wadsworth will direct Master Class, as he did for an earlier engagement at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

According to MTC, "In Master Class, Boggess will play Sharon, a singer in Maria Callas' Juilliard master class. Terrence McNally's award-winning play about Maria Callas takes us to one of her famous master classes where, late in her own career, she challenges the next generation to make the same sacrifices and dare to rise to the same heights she did, making her the most celebrated, the most reviled and the most controversial singer of her times." This production, which is offered as part of MTC's 2010-2011 subscription series, will be the first show to open as part of the 2011-2012 Broadway season.

The creative team for Master Class includes Thomas Lynch (scenic design), Martin Pakledinaz (costume design), David Lander (lighting design) and Jon Gottlieb (sound design).

Tickets ($57–$121) are available by calling Telecharge at (212) 239-6200, online by visiting www.Telecharge.com, or by visiting the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Box Office (261 West 47th Street).

For more information on MTC, visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.