Penned by Sidney Howard, They Knew What They Wanted is also well known as the basis for the lushly operatic Frank Loesser musical The Most Happy Fella. The 7 PM reading is part of Westport's "Classical Series." Hensley, a Tony winner for Oklahoma! and current star of Young Frankenstein, will portray Tony in a cast that also features Ross Bickell (Noises Off), veteran actor Keir Dullea ("The Good Shepherd") and Bill Phillips (Outside the Window). Complete casting will be announced shortly.

They Knew What They Wanted, according to press notes, "is the romantic story of Tony, an aging, Italian-born vineyard owner in Napa Valley, and his misbegotten mail-order marriage to Amy, a lonely, young waitress from San Francisco who once waited on him. Proposing by letter, Tony misrepresents himself by sending Amy a photo of his handsome foreman, Joe. When Amy arrives at Tony's vineyard to become his bride, she is astonished in finding out the truth and soon is drawn into a liaison with Joe."

Tickets, priced $15, are available by calling (203) 227-4177 or by visiting www.westportplayhouse.org.