Ethan Frome Musical Receives York Theatre Reading, May 9

Ethan Frome: An American Romance - a new musical based on the classic 1911 novella by Edith Wharton - will receive its first staged reading at The York Theatre on Tuesday, May 9th at 3 PM and 7:30 PM.

Ethan Frome will star Michael Hunsaker (Listen to My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman, Ragtime), Leah Horowitz (Woman in White, La Cage Aux Folles, Fiddler on the Roof), Emily Fletcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 42nd Street), Jonathan Todd Ross (Happy Days: The Musical), Glenn Peters (Turn of the Screw, Murder by Poe), Richard Barth (Beowulf), and Jessica Morris (Ragtime).

The show boasts music and lyrics by Adam Gwon, with a book by Michael Ruby, and is directed by Daniel T. Lavender. Musical direction is by Alex LeFevre, with orchestrations by Joshua Clayton. The reading will be presented by Lively Arts Productions in association with the York Theatre.

"Set against the romantic winter landscape of New England, the powerful and gripping drama tells the story of a love-struck farmer, cursed to endure a life of tragic circumstances because he chooses to submit to living within the perceived boundaries of American society. Married to the tyrannical Zeena, Ethan finds himself trapped in an unfulfilling life. When Zeena's younger cousin Mattie comes to live with them, Ethan is driven by his star-crossed love for Mattie, which makes the pair suffer devastating consequences," according to production notes. Ethan Frome combines "traditional theatrical sensibilities, a timeless American story, and the momentum and excitement of modern musical theatre."

The York Theatre at St Peter's is located at 54th St. just east of Lexington Ave. For further information, call 212-935-5820 or visit www.yorktheatre.org.