Mary Testa Leads York's HOWLING HILDA Reading Tonight

York Theatre Company and its Developmental Reading Series presents the reading of the new musical, Howling Hilda, with book and lyrics by Anne Berlin, and music by Andrew Bleckner will be directed by Valentina Fratti, with music direction by Timothy Splain, and featuring Mary Testa. The reading, free and open to the public with a reservation, is set for one-performance only tonight, March 12th at 7:30 p.m. at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Howling Hilda is the story of the Brooklyn Dodgers' greatest fan, Hilda Chester. Set on the eve of the Brooklyn Dodgers' historic last season in New York, Hilda is being interviewed during the course of one game. Thwarted in her dream to play baseball, she spent a lifetime cheering. Hilda became an institution at Ebbets Field, notorious for her clanging cowbells, frying pan and iron ladle. Today, she is in the Baseball Hall of Fame and there is an award given out in her name every year.

For additional information on the Developmental Reading Series, or to make reservations for any of the upcoming free presentations, visit the readings page at www.yorktheatre.org.

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City-and one of very few in the world-dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For over four decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively on new musicals in its Mainstage Series-most of them world, American, or New York premieres-by some of the field's most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 35 cast recordings from The York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and its acclaimed revivals of Closer Than Ever, Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.