Howard features a book and lyrics by Frank Evans and music by James Scully. The reading is directed by Jennifer Paulson-Lee and conducted by Jeff Saver with musical supervision/arrangements by Scott Cady.

A staged reading was also presented Jan. 27. To reserve tickets to the remaining two events, RSVP to [email protected].

Howard, according to press notes, is a "musical about the life of Howard Hughes: iconoclastic, womanizing billionaire, inventor, film producer, anonymous benefactor and aviator, told from the point of view of his long time lieutenant, Noah Dietrich. The musical takes us from the early days in Houston to his reclusive, secretive life involving marriages to Ella Rice, a Houston socialite, to Jean Peters, 20th Century Fox film star, and his long affair with the luminary Katherine Hepburn."

The cast features Christine DiGiallonardo (Encores! Gentleman Prefer Blondes), Jon Jorgenson (Mamma Mia!), Sean Allan Krill (Honeymoon in Vegas), James Ludwig (Spamalot, Little Shop of Horrors), Janet Metz (Fiddler on the Roof), Gina Milo (Les Miserables), Alessa Neeck (Cinderella), Allen E. Read (Nobody Loves You), Joel Robertson ("Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical"), Haley Swindal (Jekyll & Hyde) and Ashton Woerz (Pippin). Casting is by Stephanie Klapper.

The Manhattan Movement and Arts Center is located at 248 West 60th St.