Presented April 30 at the Clurman Theater on Theater Row, the free event will showcase readings of two new plays.

At 4 PM, Erin Mallon's Branched, featuring Jennifer Bowen, Mark McCarthy (The Rivals), Stacey Raymond and Dana Brooke, will be presented under the direction of Tim O'Donnell.

The play "follows a week in the life of a five-year-old boy whose domestic life is far from normal. After five whole years of being breast fed, Ben suddenly has to step aside for his new baby sister, Beatrice, who may or may not be human. His mother says they have to 'support her appearance no matter how humiliating it is,' but that's hard to do considering Ben’s baby sister has branches for arms and legs. Ben also finds out that his father is having 'the sex' with his new kindergarten teacher, and he's not sure how to tell his mother. As a five-year-old entrepreneur, Ben prides himself on always staying cool under pressure, but this time…he may just burst."

Playwright Lunney will stage the 7 PM reading of his play For Nina, featuring Murray (Importance of Being Earnest), Elbrick (Coram Boy), Robins (Lady From Dubuque), Sean Cullen (South Pacific), Louisa Krouse and Brent Langdon.

Lunney's work "tells the tale of movie star Nina Dalton, who returns to the stage in a new play written by her celebrated novelist husband, Brian Bartow. Brian is waging a dual battle against early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and the temptation to rewrite Nina’s part for a young starlet in the play’s film version. Enter Gar Jackson, Nina’s first love, who re-appears after thirty years, with a play of staggering beauty and epic proportions, written especially for Nina." For reservations call (323) 252-8474 or email [email protected]. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the start of each reading.

The Clurman Theater is located at 410 West 42nd Street.