"As mounted by a short-staffed theatre troupe with Royal Shakespeare Company aspirations, this madcap and highly original tale of 'great good fortune' masquerades as a 'lost epic of Charles Dickens,'" according to the Century Center announcement. "A nimble cast of four serve as both narrators and as outrageous characters switching back and forth at breakneck speed. Young Penny Penniworth's childhood love, poor Hochkiss Spit, is driven out of town after nearly killing the wealthy Rupert Stryfe. Years later, Penny finds her self penniless, and enters into the service of Miss Havasnort. There is more to the story, of course, but 14 characters, including one Malodorous Dump, comprise this labyrinthine romp through jolly 'ole Victorian England."

Penny Penniworth premiered in 2002-03 in New York City with Emerging Artists Theatre Company and TOSOS II. Penny made another appearance opening to positive notices and extending with the 2003 New York International Fringe Festival. The play was then staged in Columbus, OH with the MAD LAB Theatre Company.

Penny Penniworth is being presented by The Century Center for the Performing Arts in association with Steven De Luca "to reach those people who seek to enjoy and advance theatrical and literary projects of merit."

Mark Finley will direct a cast that includes Christopher Borg, Igor Goldin, Jamie Heinlein and Ellen Reilly.

The readings will be presented in The Century Center Ballroom, 111 East 15th Street, at 7 PM Oct 19, 20, & 21. For reservations, call (212) 982-6782 ext. 10.