The 7:30 PM reading boasts the talents of Emily Skinner as Maggie Anderson, Catherine Walker as Dahlia, Diane Findlay as Mrs. Short/Mrs. Whimberly/Nurse Ryan, Danielle Grabianowski as Deborah/Robinette, Stacey Harris as Virginia/Robinette, Angela Howell as Robinette/Paper Boy, Aaron Lazar as Jack Zalinka, Frank DeSpigno as Detective Green, Merwin Foard as Detective Jenkins, Marty Passante as Chief Martino, Christopher Totten as Sheldon Sherman, Martin Van Treuren as Concession Johnnie 1, Danny Bernardy as Van Daniels/Concession Johnnie 2 and James Donegan as Concession Johnnie 3. The Black Dahlia features book and lyrics by Carol Crittenden and Richard Sabellico with music by John T. Prestianni. The musical, according to press notes, is described as such: "A beautiful young woman is brutally murdered and left in a grotesque display on a street in Los Angles, giving her a fame in death that was elusive in her starry eyed, lost-soul life. The ever and always unsolved case of the Black Dahlia."

The York will also offer free readings of The Hollywood Backer's Audition (May 1), The Toymaker (May 2), Villa Diodati or Mary Shelley — Scenes From a Life (May 8), Appalachian Fling (May 14) and Lift (May 15).

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 reading is free, but reservations are required by e-mailing Jeff Landsman at [email protected] or by calling (212) 935-5824, ext. 24.