The Drama League and The Working Theater are co-presenting a staged reading of Liba Vaynberg's new play The Blue Parts February 20 at The Drama League Theater Center.

Set in a Brighton Beach video store, the work tracks the store's owner as she's offering shelter to an immigrant teenager on a mission to save the whales. The cast will include Kate Abbruzzese as Masha, Tina Benko as Marina, and Omar Shafiuzzaman as Abdur.

Dina Vovsi is directing, and also co-created the work, originally commissioned as part of The Five Boroughs/One City Initiative.

"At Working Theater, we believe that powerful stories come directly from the communities often left out of the mainstream theatrical landscape,” says Artistic Director Colms Summers in a statement. “The Blue Parts is a perfect example—developed in deep collaboration with working people, it brings to the stage the now urgent, lived experiences of our immigrant communities. This is the kind of theatre that not only entertains but resonates, challenges, and ultimately belongs to the people whose stories it tells."

“It’s our privilege to welcome Dina and this extraordinary play into the Next Stage Directing Residency series at The Drama League,” adds Drama League Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks. “This piece is timely, powerful, and speaks beautifully to the heart of New York City. We’re honored to play a part in its development, and can’t wait to share it with audiences.”

Reservations for the reading are available at TheWorkingTheater.org.