Light Raises the Roof, the latest from Kia Corthron (Breath, Boom, Force Continuum), will be read by the Long Wharf Theatre May 20 at 7 PM on Stage II. Michael John Garces directs the play, a look at New York City's homeless and society's inability to find a solution for them.

Breath, Boom, expected at Yale Rep in the 2002-03 season, was produced in summer, 2001 at NYC's Playwrights Horizons after a run at London's Royal Court Theatre. Corthron's other works include Up, Splash Hatch on the E Going Down, Seeking the Genesis and two works previously workshopped at Long Wharf, Come Down Burning and Cage Burning.

Featured in the Light Raise the Roof company are Russell Andrews, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Robert Beitzel, Magaly Colimon, Romi Dias, Donna DuPlantier, Leland Gantt, Mia Katigbak, Monica Koskey, Jamahl Marsh and Andres Munar.

In October, 2001, the Long Wharf read Steven Drukman's Gone Native, which has been added to the company's 2002-03 season. Opening Shot from Leslie Ayvazian (Nine Armenians) was read in January.

In the Works tickets are $15. For reservations, call (203) 787-4282. The Long Wharf Theatre is on the web at http://www.longwharf.org. — By Christine Ehren