Three-time Tony nominee Mary Testa (Oklahoma!, 42nd Street, On the Town) will play the late restaurateur Elaine Kaufman in a reading of the new musical Everyone Comes to Elaine's. Originally scheduled for December 16, 2021, the reading will now be held March 4.

Presented by the New York Theatre Barn, the reading will be directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Newsies). The cast will also include Jill Abramovitz (Beetlejuice), Jillian Butler (Wicked), Stephen Carlile (The Lion King), Stephen DeRosa (The Nance), Alex Joseph Grayson (Girl From the North Country), Cooper Grodin (The Phantom of the Opera), Mel Johnson, Jr. (Eubie!), Mauricio Martínez (On Your Feet!), T. Oliver Reid (Hadestown), Talia Simone Robinson (Dear Evan Hansen), and Paul Whitty (Come From Away).

Everyone Comes to Elaine's has a book by Asa Somers and music and lyrics by Robert Morris, Steven Morris, and Joe Shane. The new musical is an insider’s look at Kaufman's famous saloon, chronicling her struggles as an independent female business owner coping with challenges personal and professional.

The musical is based on A.E. Hotchner’s book of the same name, under the creative supervision of Timothy Hotchner and inspired by the late Tony-winning playwright Thomas Meehan (Annie, Hairspray, The Producers).

The reading also has music supervision by Rebekah Bruce Parker, music direction by Gillian Berkowitz, casting by Eisenberg/Beans Casting, and stage management by Héctor Flores, Jr.

Those interested in attending the reading should contact Artistic Director Joe Barros at [email protected].