Directed by John Gould Rubin, the 6 PM reading will feature the talents of Amanda Brasher, Briana Davis, Tanesha Gary (Caroline, or Change), Merrill Grant, Danielle Lee Greaves (Rent, Hairspray), Sydney James Harcourt (American Idiot, Lion King), Kevin Smith Kirkwood, Sinclair Mitchell (Lion King), Tony Perry, Kate Rockwell (Hair, Legally Blonde), Lou Steele, Josh Tower (Ragtime, Lion King), John Watson and Curtis Wiley.

MAC-nominated composer Kevin Ray wrote the book, music and lyrics for The Last Word, with additional book support by Josh Sohn and Suellen Vance.

The new musical, according to press notes, tells a story of "jazz, artistic triumph and the sometimes tragic cost of pursuing fame. Set in 1940s Los Angeles, it chronicles a family ripped apart by divergent musical movements within the jazz community - swing vs. bop. Two sons struggle to carve out their unique musical voices while grappling with their father's own unfulfilled jazz ambitions. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the Civil Rights movement, and on the outskirts of a newly booming Hollywood, The Last Word explores the rise of the Central Avenue jazz scene and the social, cultural and racial conflicts therein.

Suellen Vance is executive producer.

Theater Three is located in midtown Manhattan at 311 W. 43rd Street on the 3rd Floor. Tickets to the reading may be requested by sending an email to [email protected].