Born To Sing!, a spin-off of the hugely popular Mama, I Want To Sing musicals I and II, will close Dec. 1 after just 133 Off-Broadway performances, but will launch a 20-city tour in Philadelphia this February at a theatre TBA.

The musical opened Aug. 8 at Union Square Theatre in New York. Written by Wesley Naylor, Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro, the show continues the story of two characters from the earlier shows, gospel singer Doris Winter and her mother. The new musical has Doris choosing a tempestuous young singing sensation over her own teen-age daughter when embarking on a concert world tour, and the emotional showdown that results.

The original Mama, I Want To Sing! opened in 1983 and ran eight years at the off-off-Broadway Heckscher Theatre in New York. It and its sequel, Mama, I Want To Sing/ Part II have been performed in 50 U.S. cities and eight foreign countries.

Born To Sing! debuted earlier this year in a sold-out 10-day engagement at the Paramount Theatre in New York.

Tickets cost $15-$35; half price for children under 12. For tickets or information: (212) 307-4100. -- By Robert Viagas