The 7 PM presentations are free and open to the public. For reservations, phone (212) 563-2565.

The new musical is a "celebration of 1970s soul music...a romantic fantasy tale of a soul food restaurant mop-boy who dreams of becoming a master of funk music, and the big bad man who tries to stop him."

Music and lyrics are by Lee Summers and book by Summers and Ben Blake. The readings feature Grammy Award winner Fred Owens (Smokey Joe's Café) and Clifton Oliver (The Lion King) with Dennis Stowe (Man of LaMancha), Katy Grenfell (Hairspray), Julia Lema (Little Ham), Cary Gant (Little Ham), Joy Styles (Little Ham), Richard Vida (Little Ham), Marty Thomas (Yo' Alice) and Shango (PBS's "Play On"), among others.

Lee Summers, who said funk was the soundtrack of his adolescence in the 1970s, "has made a career of performing in, and creating musicals that celebrate the contributions of African-Americans in the record industry," according to production notes.

Summers was a cast member in the original Dreamgirls and a featured vocalist at the Motown Café. He wrote Ella Fitzgerald-First Lady of Song (conceived by Maurice Hines). He conceived, co-wrote and composed Off-Broadway's, From My Hometown, which focused on classic '60s and '70s soul and R&B. Yo' Alice, his collaboration with Maurice Hines, explored the sound of hip-hop.

For more information about AMAS Musical Theatre, devoted to multicultural musical theatre, visit www.amasmusical.org. "Amas" is Latin for "you love."