'HUMPTY DUMPTY CRACKS UP' Set for PlayRoom Theater, The Duplex, 11/23-25

The musical comedy about nightclub singers and night-time musical fantasies - Humpty Dumpty Cracks Up: The Nightmare of Cabaret --- will be performed in Manhattan on November 23, 24, and 25. The cast includes cabaret singers themselves in prominent and cameo roles, along with singer-actors who are kids, teens and adults (senior citizens among them). In the year marking her triumphant nightclub return, not resting her laurels or her tuffet, singer Karen Wyman is featured as Little Miss Muffet, writer of self-help books for arachnophobes and bullied teens. Cabaret-goers will find other favorites in the cast such as TERESA FISCHER as the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. Rotating guests in cameo and featured roles include such folks as Ricky Ritzel at the first performance, The Duplex's THOMAS HONECK at the middle performance, and Christine Lavin on the Monday night. As the legendary Little Bo Peep, TANYA MOBERLY sheepishly appears at the first and third performances. The plot concerns a first-time cabaret performer (WENDY RUSSELL), her singer pal (Brenda Bergman) and strange dreams about nursery rhyme characters putting on cabaret acts.

The performers and backstage crew members are donating their time and talents so that half the proceeds go to not-for-profit arts organizations and children's charities. The other half goes to the production costs and start-up of this new company whose mission is also to promote the art of cabaret and its songs. Karen Wyman, who follows her sold-out Metropolitan Room show with dates there on December 20 and 21, was also seen in the group's summer tributes to songwriters Sammy Cahn and Irving Berlin, fundraisers for Cabaret Scenes Magazine, with whom they maintain a close relationship. Others in the summer benefits included Anita Gillette, KT Sullivan, Karen Akers, Sarah Rice, Eric Michael Gillett, Marissa Mulder, Bill Zeffiro, along with young artists in the Cabaret Scenes for Cabaret Teens program presenting and exploring the Great American Songbook. New shows are in the works, seeking volunteer talent onstage and off.

The show uses mostly public domain melodies with new lyrics, and musical director Jordan Siwek has composed some new music. Rob Lester is the writer/director/producer. Stevie Phillips is the executive producer.

The play plays The Playroom Theater (151 West 46 Street) on Saturday, November 23 for a matinee at 2 pm and Monday, November 25 at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $16. A special version tailored for cabaret venues is at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre (61 Christopher Street, Greenwich Village) on Sunday, November 24 at 3:30 pm. $12 cover ($7 for members of MAC, Cabaret Hotline, AARP) plus a two-drink minimum per person applies. Online reservations at www.theduplex.com. However, any audience members under 21 at The Duplex must make special arrangements with the venue, according to their rules. E-mail Rob@Cabaret Scenes.org about this and for more info about this show, group rates, and upcoming projects. The company is also seeking donations of costumes, props, money, services and your time to work behind the scenes or in the spotlight.

There are three beneficiaries from this show's income: Amas Musical Theatre programs for underserved and at-risk youth; the Actors Equity scholarships for vocal training; and The Tank, a volunteer-based, curated performance space nurturing emerging artists, at 151 West 46 Street, where Humpty Dumpty.... also has been enjoying a great fall.

Ads, starting at $10, are being sold for the program and donors are listed as theatre "angels." All inquiries welcome: Rob@CabaretScenes.org