Signature Theatre Presents Sizzlin' Summer Cabaret Series 7/7 Thru 7/24

Signature Theatre, the recipient of the 2009 Tony Award® for Outstanding Regional Theatre, presents its Sizzlin' Summer Cabaret series July 7 through 24 - three weeks of live music and performances ranging from cabaret and show tunes to jazz, blues, and R&B. In addition, the innovative theater will produce performances of two brand musicals in a new innovative program called "21/24 Signature Lab" and a cabaret of songs written by Signature's "Next Generation" of composers.

On July 7, behind-the-scenes stars appear onstage in Revenge of the Understudies II featuring performances by the understudies of this season's Signature productions. On July 8 and 9, Helen Hayes Award winner Natascia Diaz, star of Kiss of the Spider Woman, returns to spin cabaret magic. On July 10, Washington area chanteuse Judy Simmons performs at 7:30 pm, followed by Washington Improv Theatre at 9:30 pm doing "iMusical: The Improvised Musical" - amazing improvised scenes, lyrics, and music, all inspired by a single audience suggestion. On July 11, Helen Hayes winner Will Gartshore, one of Signature's favorite leading men, will perform his cabaret Perfect/Finite, an eclectic combination of pop, rock, and contemporary theater songs of auspicious beginnings, messy endings, and love's beautiful flaws.

The second week of cabarets begins on July 15 with popular Signature actor Stephen Gregory Smith performing with his unique brand of humor and style. On July 16, hot young theater composer Peter Lerman will entertain with his own musical compositions. Former Broadway Dreamgirl and award-winning artist Julia Nixon will perform music from rhythm & blues to funky torch songs and velvety ballads on July 17 for two performances. On July 18 and 19 at 7:30 pm, the Tony®-nominaTEd Scottish actor/singer Euan Morton comes down to Arlington from New York's Oak Room at the Algonquin and Joe's Pub to take over Signature, while the 9:30 show on July 18 brings "Second City" alum, comic and cabaret performer Colleen McHugh.

The third week of performances starts on July 21 with Signature favorite, Tony Award®-nominee, and star of Signature's upcoming Dirty Blonde, Emily Skinner, singing the wide range of her repertory from the heartbreaking to the humorous. On July 22, Signature offers up new music by some of the most exciting young musical theater composers of our day, Gabriel Kahane, Adam Gwon, Peter Foley, Marisa Michelson and Matt Conner. "The Next Generation Composer Cabaret," part of Signature's American Musical Voices Project, will be performed by some of Signature's favorite singer/actors.

In July Signature also launches a new series called 21/24 Signature Lab, part of the American Musical Voices Program - the Next Generation, funded by The Shen Family Foundation. After 21 days of rehearsals, on July 23 and 24 two new musicals will be presented in concert in the MAX Theatre, performed by some of Signature's outstanding artists. The concert performances include The Hollow, book by Hunter Foster (Kiss of the Spider Woman), music and lyrics by Matt Conner (Nevermore and Partial Eclipse) and directed by Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer; and The Boy Detective Fails, book by Joe Meno, music and lyrics by Adam Gwon, and directed by Joe Calarco.

All performances take place in Signature Theatre's modern theater complex. Starting 45 minutes before performance time, patrons can visit Ali's Bar in the Signature lobby and bring choice wine, beer, mixed drinks, and chef-prepared fare right to their table in the Theatre. Tickets for all cabarets and 21/24 are $20 general admission. An all-access cabaret pass costs $75. A pass for both 21/24 shows costs $30. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-SEAT (7328) or visiting www.signature-theatre.org.

 

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