Neil Gaiman’s fable Coraline is undergoing its second major adaptation in less than a year. With this musical, Coraline sprang from the minds of three of the most wildly popular cult figures of our time. Adapted from the terrifying children’s book by Neil Gaiman (author of the international sensation Sandman), this tale of menace and mayhem is set to music and lyrics by smart-rock iconoclast Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields, and boasts a book by celebrated downtown actor/playwright, David Greenspan, who serves double-duty as the villainous Other Mother. Tony nominee Jayne Houdyshell (Well, The Receptionist) stars in the title role, and bringing it all together is acclaimed director Leigh Silverman (Yellowface, From Up Here, Well). Twists abound: Jane Houdyshell, a mature actor who justly wins acclaim in just about everything she does (Well and The Receptionist included) plays Coraline; downtown legend David Greenspan wrote the book and will play The Other Mother; Leigh Silverman directs with the verve and guts she brings whether on Broadway or Off-Off, steers; and behind it all is Magnetic Fields songwriting hero Stephin Merritt, whose dry darkness seems almost too perfect to have written the songs and lyrics. Coraline stages tonight MCC Theater at The Lucille Lortel Theatre