The free series kicks off Aug. 23 at 7:30 PM with War Brides, a new musical that features a book by Ron Sproat, music by Christopher Berg and lyrics by Frank Evans. The musical concerns the lives of World War II British war brides and their struggles to be reunited with the soldiers they love.

Friends Like These — featuring music by John McMahon, lyrics by Jay Jeffries and a book by McMahon and Jeffries — will be presented Sept. 15 at 2 PM. In the new musical, a young woman named Holly arrives in New York City and becomes friends with "an over-sexed soap opera star, a wisecracking author and an eccentric socialite."

Featuring book, music and lyrics by Tyler M. Phillips, the reading of Fairest of Them All will be held Sept. 20 at 7:30 PM. Fairest, according to production notes, is a storybook musical "built from some of the most-told fables is gradually slipping into a crack in the world leaving the characters armed with only their strongest traits. These strengths are also their greatest weaknesses."

The series will conclude Sept. 22 at 3 PM with Murder on Broadway. The musical, which features music by James Campodonico and book and lyrics by Bryan D. Leys, concerns "the madness and murder [that] stalk the set of the musical extravaganza Princess of the Pyramids."

There is no admission charge for the reading series. Call (212) 935-5824, ext. 24 for more information or visit www.yorktheatre.org. The York Theatre Company is located at The Theatre at Saint Peter's in Citigroup Center, 619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street.