Ludwig, Hocking, Etc. Set for Hughes Musical Reading

The enigmatic Howard Hughes is the subject of a new musical that will receive a star-studded private reading on March 19th and March 20th.

Starring James Ludwig (Spamalot, Little Shop of Horrors) as Hughes, the reading of The Howard Hughes Project will also feature Leah Hocking (Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, All Shook Up) as Ava Gardner, Maria Couch as Katharine Hepburn, Haviland Stillwell (Les Miserables) as Hughes' first wife, Ella Hughes and Jean Peters (Hughes' first and second wives, respectively), Elizabeth DeRosa (The Screams of Kitty Genovese at NYMF) as Ginger Rogers, Louella Parsons and Jane Russell; Rick Hilsabeck (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as director Marshall Neilan, Jonathan C. Kaplan (The Diary of Anne Frank) in a variety of roles (including Hughes' close friend Glen Odekirk), Joseph Kolinski (Titanic) as Noah Dietrich, William Parry (Sunday in the Park With George, Passion) as Howard Hughes Sr.; and Joe Danbusky as columnist Walter Winchell.  The reading will be directed by Peter Dobbins.

The musical features a book by Peter Webb, music by James Scully (Flight), and lyrics by Frank Evans.  Keith Levenson will serve as musical director.  Pat Flicker Addiss (Spring Awakening) will present the reading in association with eBroadwayPlays.com.

Millionaire Hughes was known for a career that encompassed aviation and filmmaking, as well as for his hobby as a womanizer.  His later descent into reclusive germophobia has also been much chronicled.

If an interested member of the theatre industry, send an e-mail to: HHProjectMusical@aol.com for more information.

Photo of Leah Hocking by Ben Strothmann