Back in winter 1988, George Hearn and Gerald Hiken co-starred alongside as-yet-unknowns Rob Morrow, Tia Riebling and Lynnette Perry in a new musical based on Chaim Potok's novel, "The Chosen." Little has been heard from the piece, which played at the Second Avenue Theatre, since that engagement.

That will change for one night, however, when a concert reading of the Philip Springer (music) and Mitchell Bernard (lyrics) musical takes place at NYC's Merkin Concert Hall, June 19 at 9 PM. Tamar Springer is co producing the concert reading with the composer. Richard Aulden Clark will conduct the concert, featuring sopranos Sadie Dawkins and Margaret Astrup, and baritones Aaron Bond, Dorian Gray Ross, Thomas Meglioranza and Don Sheasely. Folk singers Renae Eidem, Benjamin Daminao and Paul Helou will also take part in the evening, which will open with three new art songs by composer Springer.

Potok's "The Chosen," which was also adapted into a play by the novelist and Aaron Posner, tells of an Orthodox Jewish rabinnical student being drawn to the outside world, while his conservative Jewish best friend begins to appreciate values of the old world. Songs in the show include "Ladder To The Lord," "My World," "Tune In My Heart" and "Silence."

For tickets ($15) and information call (212) 501-3330.

-- By David Lefkowitz