By Robert Simonson
13 Apr 2006

Ethan Frome: An American Romance, a new musical based on the classic 1911 novella by Edith Wharton, will receive a staged reading at The York Theatre on May 9.

The story takes place in chilly, rural new England, where poor laborer Ethan Frome is unhappily married to Zeena, a demanding, possessive hypochondriac. When Zeena's vibrant young cousin Mattie comes to live with him, Ethan finds himself attracted to her and the more vital idea of life she represents. Their attempt to find happiness together, however, results in tragedy.

The reading with star Michael Hunsaker, Leah Horowitz, Emily Fletcher, Jonathan Todd Ross, Glenn Peters and Jessica Morris.

The show has music and lyrics by Adam Gwon, and a book by Michael Ruby, and is directed by Daniel T. Lavender. Musical direction is by Alex LeFevre, with orchestrations by Joshua Clayton. The reading is presented by Lively Arts Productions in association with the York Theatre.