Arden, who co-stars in the new musical Bare: A Pop Opera, will present his original musical Dec. 21 at Joe's Pub, the intimate cabaret located within the Public Theater. Bare director Kristin Hanggi will helm the reading. Casting has yet to be announced, although an earlier presentation at Makor featured the talents of Gavin Creel, Eden Espinosa, Evan Pappas, Eden Riegel, Sara Gettelfinger, Matthew Morrison, Shoshana Bean, Max von Essen, Kirsten Rossi, Norm Lewis, Michael Hunsaker and Santino Fontana. Show time is 7 PM. Easter Rising, according to a spokesperson, concerns a married couple with a teenage son. Upon learning that he is dying, the father takes his son on a road trip to meet his former college roommate. The musical concerns the love shared between the two college friends, the love the son has for his father, and the love between the mother and father. The musical is set in Texas, where Arden was raised.

Michael Arden, who will soon reprise his role as Peter in Off-Broadway's Bare, has also appeared on the New York stage in Big River, The Vampire Lestat, It's Only Life and Harold & Maude. His regional credits include God of Vengeance; Falsettoland; Art, Song Dance; West Side Story; Songs for a New World; The Common Pursuit and A Winter's Tale. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Arden's compositions include Easter Rising and As You Like It.

Joe's Pub is located within the Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street; call (212) 539-8778 for reservations.