Mary Testa to Lead HOWLING HILDA AND THE BROOKLYN DODGERS Reading, 11/21

Two time Tony nominated actress Mary Testa is reprising her role as Hilda Chester in a concert/reading of award winning musical theater writer Anne Berlin, and Andrew Bleckner's new solo musical, to be directed by Valentina Fratti, former artistic director of the Miranda Theatre. Remy Kurs will be the musical director. Howling Hilda and the Broolyn Dodgers will play Monday, November 21st at 9:30pm at Joe's Pub. Tickets are $18.00 with a $12.00 food or drink minimum.

Howling Hilda and the Brooklyn Dodgers, concerns the story of the Brooklyn Dodger's greatest fan, Hilda Chester. Set on the eve of the Brooklyn Dodgers' historic last season in New York, Hilda is being interviewed during the course of one game. Thwarted in her dream to play baseball, she spent a lifetime cheering. Hilda became an institution at Ebbets Field, notorious for her clanging cowbells, frying pan and iron ladle. Today she is in the Baseball Hall of Fame and there is an award given out in her name every year.

Formerly titled Howling Hilda, the musical was presented by the same creative team this past June as a developmental reading at Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, New York's premiere eco-friendly theatre festival where it was nominated for Outstanding Production of a Reading and Outstanding Performance of an Actress in a reading. Winner Outstanding Performance of an Actress in a reading, Mary Testa.

Tickets can be purchased online at joespub.com, or by phone at 212-967-7555.

The writers and director Anne Berlin, Andrew Bleckner and Valentina Fratti, just recently presented a developmental reading of another musical, The Pigeon Boys at this years NYMF 2011 festival.