Directed by Daniel Kutner, the reading will star Avenue Q original cast member Stephanie D'Abruzzo, but without the aid of a puppet. Book and lyrics are by Ryan Cunningham, with music by Joshua Salzman. Set in New York City, Austin Bennet's life is turned upside down when he finds his girlfriend in bed with another man. Forced back out into the treacherous New York dating scene, Austin meets Marcy, whose spontaneity is matched only by her ability to drive him insane. A comedy that explores the rules and nuances of dating because sometimes love is learning how to love someone, not in spite of their differences, but because of them.

According to a festival spokesperson, last year's event directly led to five of the eight shows securing productions. They were: The Drowsy Chaperone (to be done at the Ahmanson Theatre, November 2005), The Flight of the Lawnchair Man (Goodspeed Musicals, May 2005), The Girl in the Frame (Goodspeed Musicals, November 2005), Striking 12 (TheatreWorks Palo Alto, December 2004) and Winesburg, OH (The Arden Theatre Company, October 2005).

Admission is by invitation only and closed to the general public. For more information, visit www.NAMT.net.