Barry Singer has penned a new book and lyrics to the musical, which will be presented at 7:30 PM at the York's home at Saint Peter's Church. Michael Unger directs with musical direction by David Gaines.

The readings boast the talents of Linda Balgord as Misia Sert, Megan McGinnis as Young Misia, Tom Riis Farrell as Serge Diaghilev, dancer Kanji Segawa as Nijinsky, Brooke Sunny Moriber as chanteuse Lantelme, Thom Christopher Warren as Sert, Scott Sowinski as Thadee Natanson and Jacek Myzinski as a 20-year-old Vernon Duke. Also in the cast are Ned Noyes, Laurie Gardner, John Haggerty and Francis Kelly and Rolfe Winkler.

Misia, according to press notes, "brings art to life," focusing on Misia Sert, "the legendary artistic muse and patroness of fin de siecle Paris, who helped Diaghilev create the Ballet Russe, who inspired Proust to create two characters based on her in 'Remembrances of Things Past,' and who was the subject of an astonishing number of great paintings. [The musical] captures the tumultuous romantic existence of its thrice-married subject, and the circle of avant-garde artists this extraordinary woman drew around her — from Diaghilev and Nijinsky to Stravinsky and Lautrec."

The production features 17 never-before-heard Vernon Duke melodies, three of his forgotten classical compositions and one full-length ballet originally written for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

York Theatre Company productions play The Theatre at Saint Peter's, which is located in Manhattan on 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue. Admission to the readings are free, but reservations are required by e-mailing Jeff Landsman at [email protected] or by calling (212) 935-5824, ext. 24. For more information visit www.yorktheatre.org.