Tuesday Musical Club is producing "Mary Shelley and her Frankenstein," a new music drama by Shirley R. Barasch, professor emeritus and former department chair of Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts.

The world premiere production reveals the passion and anguish of the author's life as she juggles the demands of her writing and her marriage to her famous husband, Percy Shelley.

The production will be staged Nov. 12-16 at the New Hazlett Theater, North Side. Auditions will be Sept. 8 and 9. Open casting for all roles, including four female, five male principals and the chorus. Contact Joanna Obuzor at 412-512-3048 for information. Tickets: 412-394-3353.

-- Rosa Colucci, Post-Gazette staff writer

The 18th season of the Pittsburgh New Works Festival opens at 7 p.m. on Sunday, with a program of readings of new one-act plays at Open Stage in the Strip District. In previous years, the festivals readings have been seated, but this year, participating theater companies requested they be staged.

The program is free and open to the public, and free parking is available in the lot behind the theater. Another evening of staged readings will follow on Aug. 31.

Week one of the main stage productions for the four-week new-play festival kicks off Sept. 4. For more information, call 412-881-6888 or visit www.pittsburghnewworks.org. For tickets/subscriptions, call ProArts at 412-394-3353 or go to www.proartstickets.org.

-- Karen Carlin, Post-Gazette staff writer

Theater editor Christopher Rawson is on vacation.