It Started With a Dream," a new song by City of Angels songwriters Cy Coleman and David Zippel, is expected to be heard at a Lincoln Center Theater workshop of their new family-friendly show, Pamela's First Musical, in November.

Composer Coleman's office confirmed that Graciela Daniele will direct and choreograph the emerging venture in a mid-November workshop that represents the first reading of the show, which is drawn from the illustrated children's book by Wendy Wasserstein. The libretto is by Wasserstein, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of The Heidi Chronicles, The Sisters Rosensweig and An American Daughter.

The 1998 book, illustrated by the Broadway scenic designer Andrew Jackness, tells of how young Pamela is whisked off by her artsy, quirky, connected Aunt Louise to lunch at the Russian Tea Room (which has since closed) and then to a splashy Broadway musical. She later meets the company of performers and creators.

Wasserstein's most recent play, her multi generational drama, Old Money, played Lincoln Center Theater in 2000-01. She won the Pulitzer for The Heidi Chronicles and also penned the popular Isn't It Romantic?

Coleman introduced "It Started With a Dream" on a CD of songs released earlier this year on the Sony label. The song — about the creative process — was sung Jan. 18 at a Carnegie Hall concert featuring Coleman's music. The concert and disc were both titled It Started With a Dream. Composer Coleman's works include Little Me, Sweet Charity, On the 20th Century, Barnum, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies. His last Broadway effort was the Tony-nominated tuner, The Life.

Zippel's lyrics were recently showcased at the Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia, in a revision of an earlier all Zippel revue, It's Better With a Band. He penned lyrics for the films "Mulan" and "Hercules," and won the Tony with Coleman for City of Angels.

Casting is under way.

— By Kenneth Jones