A by-invitation-only reading of the musical — which features a book and score by Austin — will be presented Aug. 28 in Manhattan. The cast for the 5 PM reading is scheduled to include Lisa Howard, Allen Fitzpatrick, Nancy Opel, Stephen DeRosa, Nora Mae Lyng, Colin Hanlon, Courtney Balan, Jamison Stern, Kat Ramsburg, Felicity LaFortune, Todd Buonopane, Tricia Rapier, Jason Dula, Rebecca Robbins, Jenna Lahr, David Jon Wilson, Eric Pickering, Veronica Puricelli, Liam Murphy and Tommy Byrne. Writing Arthur, according to press notes, is the story of "Arthur Danby, a man who has spent his life locked behind the door of his bookstore. Instead of living his life, he spends his days writing a book he has been creating since childhood. The life of the young and vibrant Allana, in turn-of-the-century Ireland, fills Arthur’s days and nights and allows him to avoid living his own life. As both of Arthur’s worlds threaten to collapse, Arthur finds the strength to live his own life from the very characters he has created."

In addition to I Love You Because composer Austin has also appeared in TheatreworksUSA's If You Give a Mouse a Cookie as well as in productions of Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wedding Banquet and Brigadoon. He is also a member of the BMI Workshop.