Pitchfork

Photo by Kathryn Yu

Shucks, just when our dopamine levels were on the rise again, here comes bah-humbugger Stephin Merritt with some new Magnetic Fields dates.

Having just wrapped their overseas voyage, Stephin, Claudia, and the gang will mope around the U.S. once again this fall. The 11-date trek begins October 10 in Minneapolis.

Oh, and remember that theatrical production of Neil Gaiman's Coraline featuring music from Mr. Merritt? The one that was supposed to open back in 2006? Well hey, since you've waited this long, you can probably stand to wait a bit longer. Coraline will finally make its world premiere in spring 2009, opening May 6 at New York City's Lucille Lortel Theatre and running through June 20. In addition to lyrics and music penned by Merritt, the MCC Theater production also features the directing talents of Leigh Silverman and a book/script by actor David Greenspan, who doubles as the villainous "Other Mother" onstage [via The Playlist].

The name Coraline will likely be well embedded in the pop culture collective consciousness by May 2009, as a separate (and previously mentioned) animated feature film based on the novel is due early next year.

The Magnetic Fields:

10-10 Minneapolis, MN - State Theatre
10-11 Madison, WI - Capitol Theater at Overture Center for the Arts
10-13 Dallas, TX - The Majestic
10-14 Austin, TX - The Paramount Theater
10-15 Boulder, CO - The Boulder Theater
10-17 Atlanta, GA - Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center
10-18 Raleigh, NC - Meymandi Concert Hall at Progress Energy Center
10-23 Jersey City, NJ - Loews Jersey Theatre
10-24 Columbus, OH - The Southern Theatre
10-25 Philadelphia, PA - The Merriam Theater
10-26 Washington, DC - Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University