On Monday, April twenty-first at 7:00 p.m., The Northeast Theatre presents a rehearsed reading of The Men of Mahjong by Richard Atkins, directed by Mark Medoff. This is the first public reading of a play that will have its Scranton world premiere in November before moving into New York City in conjuction with Queens Theatre in the Park. Admission is free. Performance Space at the Hotel Jermyn, 326 Spruce Street, on the second floor in Downtown Scranton. For tickets and details: 570-558-1515 or thenortheasttheatre dot us, or Use Your PlayPass. Professional Theatre in the Electric City.

The Men of Mahjong is about four elderly Jewish men who, as they feel themselves begin to aimlessly decline into old age, secretly take up the traditionally female game of mahjong. Through their newfound passion, they come alive again, to themselves, their lives, and each other. A sweet, funny, strikingly honest play in the tradition of the most recent work of Neil Simon, The Men of Mahjong will be given its world premiere production (possibly with different casting) by The Northeast Theatre in November, after which it will move into New York City, in conjuction with Queens Theatre in the Park.