Anew musical heading to Broadway. A classic Agatha Christie mystery. A new play about how we live today.

And four splashy (sometimes that's literal) musicals.

The 2012-13 Fulton season will offer an array of shows that the Fulton's artistic director, Marc Robin, believes Lancaster will be happy to see.

"It's taken me three years to get a handle on what shows audiences really want," Robin says. "People want big and powerful. With almost every show, you'll come out of the theater feeling energized."

• First up is "Jolson," (Sept. 9-30) a new musical starring Tony nominee Sam Harris as the legendary entertainer who starred in Hollywood's first talkie and was one of the world's biggest stars back in the early part of the 20th century.

The musical has been 10 years in the making and a number of Broadway veterans are involved.

Harris, who was the first winner of "Star Search," earned a Tony nomination for his work in "The Life." He was a regular on the television sitcom "The Class" and has a recurring role on "Rules of Engagement."

The show was written by Sherman Yellin (Tony nomination for "The Rothschilds"), with music and lyrics by Will Holt (Tony nomination for "The Me Nobody Knows," and Emmy and Peabody awards for "The Adams Chronicles" and "An Early Frost").

The producer is Richard Winkler, whose recent Broadway productions include "Memphis," "La Cage Aux Folles," "The Mountaintop," and "Catch Me if You Can."

"This is the out-of-town tryout," Robin explains. "This Broadway team will be using the Fulton. And Jolson performed here, which is cool."

• Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution" (Oct. 14-Nov. 4) should be a real crowd pleaser.

Robin says Christie's mysteries are always especially popular.

"Of our top 10 shows in history, eight are musicals. Numbers nine and 10 are "The Mousetrap," and "The Unexpected Guest." We've never done 'Witness for the Prosecution' and it's one of Agatha Christie's best. A perfect combination of thriller and courtroom drama."

• "Singin' in the Rain" (Nov. 25-Dec. 29) is based on the popular film about the end of the silent film era.

"It's a big extravaganza, a family musical. It's got a great score you can sing along to and tap along to," says Robin, who's directed the show seven times before.

"And it will rain, rain, rain," he adds with a laugh.

• Robin calls "Good People" (Jan. 27-Feb. 17) an incredible play.

Having lost another job and facing eviction, Margie looks up an old flame who made it out of the neighborhood, hoping he can be her ticket to a new life.

But does he have the courage to face the life he left behind?

It's written by David Lindsay-Abaire, who won the Pulitzer in drama for "Rabbit Hole."

"It's the story of an everyman," Robin says. "A reflection of what's going on now."

• "A Chorus Line" (March 10-30) is the story of 17 veteran dancers trying to get a role in the chorus line of a show.

"It's often seen as a museum piece these days," says Robin, who's never directed it before. "I'm doing a revival, so I am going to revive it."

• "Dreamgirls" (April 21-May 12) is the backstage story of a group very much like the Supremes, called "The Dreams." Rivalries and shameful secrets threaten to destroy the group.

"It's a great 'Star is Born' story," Robin says. "And it's got this spectacular singing. It's a real powerhouse vocal show. I've been trying to get the rights from day one here at the Fulton."

• Rounding out the season is the return of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (June 2-30) ,which played at the Fulton almost 10 years ago. It was the third show Robin directed for the Fulton.

"It's a title everyone keeps asking for," he says. "This is a good opportunity to revisit it. It's going to be bigger and bolder than before."