York Theatre Company's 2001-2002 developmental reading series of new musicals continues Dec. 9, 10 and Jan. 7, 2002, with three shows that hope to go on to greater glory, but, for now, are just introducing themselves to the world.

Readings are free and open to the public at the not-for-profit York's Theatre at St. Peter's in Manhattan.

The series includes:

Dance on the Rooftops by librettist Allan Knee, lyricist Jon Marans and composer Dan Levine, "a musical set in New York City in the swing era of the late 1940s, telling the coming of age story of a boy of 16, his three moms —radio singers on WEVD's Family Hour — and the man who changed all their lives." 7:30 PM Dec. 9.

His Excellency, with words by W.S. Gilbert, music by Laurence Guittard, billed as "a reading of a contemporary operetta score composed to a brilliant but forgotten libretto written in 1894 by W.S. Gilbert. Once upon a time in Denmark, a notorious practical joker gets his comeuppance!" 7:30 PM Dec. 10. Mud Donohue's Eccentric Son, with music by Bob Johnston, book by Jeffrey Hochhauser and lyrics by Johnston & Hochhauser, is based on "Letters of a Hoofer to His Ma." "In 1910, 19-year-old hoofer Jack Donohue went out on his first vaudeville tour. His Irish mother was none too pleased," according to the announcement. The "two-character musical comedy is about two lost worlds: vaudeville and our immigrant great-grandparents." 7:30 PM Jan. 7, 2002.

Theatre at St. Peter's is at 619 Lexington Ave., at 54th Street. For reservations, call (212) 935-5824 ext. 24.

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The fall series began Dec. 3 with librettist Michael Slade and composer-lyricist Ellen Weiss' Mem'rable, "a romantic musical comedy set in a Fairy Tale Land known as New York City in the late 1950s, when the reigning princess was the young Audrey Hepburn."

— By Kenneth Jones