Fierstein heads Globe’s ’08 season

A film-based musical by Harvey Fierstein, a drama inspired by the life of boxing legend Joe Louis and a new take on the MGM classic “The Band Wagon” are among world premiere offerings announced for the Old Globe Theatre of San Diego’s 2007-08 winter season.

Fierstein’s Broadway-bound “A Catered Affair” opens the season in the Old Globe (Sept. 30 to Oct. 28). Based on the film written by Gore Vidal and the original teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky, with music and lyrics by John Bucchino, it will feature Fierstein and Faith Prince.

In the Cassius Carter Centre Stage, Steven Drukman’s Globe-commissioned premiere, “In This Corner” (Jan. 10 to Feb. 10, 2008), reunites Louis and Max Schmeling decades after their famed 1938 bout. The Carter’s arena configuration will be transformed into a boxing ring for the production.

Also in the Old Globe: the West Coast premiere of Howard Korder’s “Sea of Tranquility” (Jan. 17 to Feb. 17), “The Band Wagon,” with a new book by Douglas Carter Beane (March 13 to April 13), and pianist Hershey Felder’s “Beethoven, as I Knew Him” (May 8 to June 8).

The American premiere of Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s “Oscar and the Pink Lady” (Oct. 4 to Nov. 4) and the West Coast premiere of Richard Greenberg’s “The American Plan” (Feb. 28 to March 30) will be presented in the Carter, as will Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” (April 17 to May 18).

Rounding out the 2008 season are a subscribers’ bonus -- Felder’s “Monsieur Chopin” (June 11 to 22) and “George Gershwin Alone” (June 25 to 29) -- and the Globe’s 10th annual production of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (Nov. 30 to Dec. 30).