ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) will present a staged reading of the new musical Josie and the Women of Tombstone Aug. 17 at the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, MA. The musical was chosen from the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop in New York and the ASCAP/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in Los Angeles. The performance will be hosted by Academy-Award winning songwriter Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Godspell, Disney's Pocohontas) who directs both ASCAP workshops.

Josie will be directed by Josephine Abady, formerly of Circle in the Square in New York. An all-female cast will perform this musical, based on the true story of cowboy Wyatt Earp's common-law wife. Music is by Michele Brourman, lyrics by Sheliah Rae and book by Thomas Edward West. No cast has been announced yet.

Among musicals developed in the ASCAP workshops was last season's Off-Broadway hit No Way to Treat a Lady at the York Theatre.

Performances begin at 7 PM and tickets are $10. For tickets or more information, call the Berkshire Festival ar (413) 298-5576.

--By Laura MacDonald