The lineup has been revealed for the third annual SOMA BackStage Reading Series, set to be held January 24–25 at The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). This year's readings will include AHOY-HOY, a new play by Jenny Stafford; and True North, a new musical by Holly and Kelvin Reed.

Matt DiCarlo will direct AHOY-HOY. Set in 1876, Stafford's comedy follows inventor Elisha Gray and his assistant Cornelius, who are hard at work on their latest creation: the telephone. Determined to leave a lasting mark on history, Elisha must also contend with his archnemesis Alexander Graham Bell, who is racing toward the same breakthrough. The cast will include Adam Dannheisser (Beetlejuice) Mark Evans (Mrs. Doubtfire), Jared Goldsmith (Dear Evan Hansen), and Zal Owen (Harmony).

With direction by Richard H. Blake, new holiday musical True North will spotlight an elite team of North Pole elves who travel to families who need hope the most. But when seasoned agent Charley Tinseltoes bends the rules to help his own family, he sets off a chain of events that could change Christmas forever. The cast will include Analise Scarpaci (Mrs. Doubtfire), Ben Thompson (Waitress), Camden Kwok, Dwayne Clark (Shucked), Emily Grace Tucker, Mike Ferlita, Mitchell Sink, Stephanie Martignetti (Tina), Rebecca Covington Webber (Hamilton), and Tommy Kaiser. Charles Santoro will serve as music director.

All readings are open to the public. Email [email protected] to reserve tickets.