May, Fuller, Etc. Set for '06 O'Neill Cabaret Conference

Deven May, Penny Fuller, André De Shields, Ruth Williamson and more will take part in the Eugene O'Neill Center's Cabaret and Performance Conference from August 2nd through 12th.  Performances will be at the Dina Merrill Theatre at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT.

On August 2nd at 7:30 PM, Chicago-based musical improv group Baby Wants Candy will lead the Conference's Opening Ceremonies.  On August 3rd at 7:30 PM, May (Bat Boy) and Jeffrey Kuhn (Assassins) will star in a concert version of the Brian Hill-Neil Bartram musical The Story of My Life.  Tony-nominee Fuller (Applause) will star in "Another Evening with Penny Fuller" on August 4th at 7:30 PM.

On August 5th at 7 PM, there will be an evening featuring 2006 Cabaret Conference Participants.  De Shields (The Full Monty) will appear with Marlene Danielle and Frieda Williams for "A Night of Rhythm and Blues" on August 5th at 9:30 PM.  Grammy-winner Marcus Hummon and Sherrie Austin (The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde) will share with audiences a "Country Cabaret" on August 6th at 6 PM.  Joel Silberman (who is the Cabaret Conference's Associate Artistic Director) will perform "Politics and Poker" on August 8th at 7:30 PM. 

On August 9th at 7:30 PM, Austin and May, with Tony-nominee Marla Schaffel (Jane Eyre), will perform songs from Hummon's musical Warrior (which will be seen at NYMF).  There will be another performance featuring 2006 Cabaret Conference Participants on August 10th at 7:30 PM.  On August 11th at 7:30 PM, Williamson (La Cage aux Folles) will take on the persona of the famed singer/writer/arranger in "Pure Heaven: The Life of Kay Thompson."  A Grand Finale will conclude the Conference on August 12th at 7:30 PM.

"The O'Neill's Cabaret & Performance Conference was established in 2005 as a dynamic opportunity for artists to work on their projects with the guidance of an accomplished team of professional music directors, guest artists and musicologists. The Conference reexamines, redefines, and revitalizes the Cabaret art form for the 21st century. It offers participants individualized attention to their project while they establish lasting friendships in the field and acquire the skills needed to make Cabaret performance an important part of their creative life," according to notes on the O'Neill Center website.   The 2006 Cabaret and Performance Conference is under the artistic direction of Michael Bush, the current Director of Artistic Production at the Manhattan Theatre Club.

The O'Neill Theater Center is also the home of the Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference, and more.

For tickets, call the box office at (860) 443-1238.  More information is available at:(860) 443-5378 or www.theoneill.org.