Tony nominee Katy Sullivan (Cost of Living) will direct a reading of Joshua-Franklin Wolfe's new musical The Consoling Mechanism. The work centers on the Ward family in the wake of a tragic car accident that killed their mother and left sibling Valerie disabled. The reading will be held October 26

Set to a pop score, The Consoling Mechanism explores human connection in the digital age through Valerie's journey, as she dives into a virtual reality world to escape her new reality. But just as she's about to give up on school and socializing, she meets Andrew, who helps her process her grief. 

The cast of the reading will include Drew Gehling, Sam Primack, Kaylin Hedges, Betsy Morgan, Julius Rinzel, Miguel Gil, Sharone Sayegh, Anthony Norman, Jimin Moon, Leana Rae Concepcion, and Natalie Kaye Clater. Abel Garriga will provide music direction.

The musical has previously been developed at Virginia Rep, NAMT, Theatre Accelerator, and the New Works Festival at Phoenix Theatre Co.