Directed by Gretchen Cryer (lyricist/librettist of I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road), Ellis' solo show will get a reading April 8 at the York Theatre.

Ellis handled more than 60 shows in all, including many Off-Broadway, but his main claim to fame is he worked for legendary Broadway producer David Merrick as part of the team at the Solters & Roskin office, during the latter part of Merrick's producing career. He also later opened his own agency, The Joshua Ellis Office. Ellis served as press rep for such landmark shows as Mack & Mabel, 42nd Street, The Elephant Man, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Big River, Fences, two revivals of The King and I and the Frank Langella revival of Dracula. After his time on Broadway, Ellis worked as press rep for several years at the La Jolla Playhouse in California.

Among many top Broadway press agents who worked as Ellis' associates at various times: Adrian Bryan-Brown, Chris Boneau, David LeShay, John Barlow, Jackie Green and Susanne Tighe.

Ellis told Playbill.com that he was ordained a minister in 2006, becoming a member of the Disaster Chaplains Service. He also has been officiating at lesbian and gay weddings since they became legal in New York in 2012. He claims credit for contacting lyricist Sheldon Harnick and persuading him to update the lyrics to his Fiddler on the Roof song (and wedding staple) "Sunrise, Sunset" to reflect same-sex couples.

The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s Church (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). The reading is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5.

For additional information, please visit the website at www.yorktheatre.org.