A reading of the new musical La Dottoressa, about feminist, scientist, educator, mother, and advocate for world peace Maria Montessori, will be held October 20 at 3 PM in Manhattan.

Angelina Fiordellisi (The Cherry Lane Theatre) will head the cast of the new musical by Emmy-Award winning composer Matty Selman.

The cast of 17 also features Kathy Voytko (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Francesca Capetta, Ned Eisenberg (Six Degrees of Separation), and Debargo Sanyal (Vanity Fair). Emily Maltby directs.

La Dottoressa focuses on a time Montessori and her son Mario were arrested as enemy aliens in India, when Italy entered World War II. “Montessori's life unfolds in a series of musical flashbacks—from her struggles to gain admission to medical school in Italy in the 1890's, to the tragic circumstances surrounding her relationship with her only child,” according to press notes.

Brandon James Gwinn is the arranger and orchestrator.

For more information, e-mail [email protected].