The new musical Sophia and The Bee-Man will be showcased in two staged industry readings November 18 at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM at Ripley-Grier Studios. Christopher Michaels is set to direct, with music direction by Joseph Ivan.

The cast will include Korie Lee Blossey (Aladdin), Eli Gonzalez (El Otro Oz), Fernell Hogan (Kimberly Akimbo, The Prom), Kendyl Ito (Soft Power), Rebecca Larkin (South Pacific, Avenue Q), Mary Malaney (Single Rider), Manu Narayan (Bombay Dreams, Company), and Jessica Sheridan (The Music Man, Hello, Dolly!). Casting is by Gregory Jafari Van Acker of The Casting Collaborative. 

Sophia and The Bee Man features music by Neil Radisch, lyrics by Kit Goldstein Grant, and a book by both. Inspired by Frank Stockton's fairy tale The Bee-Man of Orn, the work follows Sorcery Girl Sophia on a misguided mission to transform the eccentric Bee-Man. 

Judith Manocherian (The Prom, Once on This Island) and IndieWorks Theatre Company serve as producers.