Directed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, the cast will include Fred Berman, Patrick Boll, Jonathon Brody, Alison Cimmet, Lois Hart, Alicia Irving, Susan Jacks, Tom Lucca, Allen Lewis Rickman and Rena Strober. Performance times are Dec. 2 at 8 PM, Dec. 3 and 2:30 and 8 PM and Dec. 4 at 2:30 and 7:30 PM. Matinees will be followed by audience discussions with the cast and creative team.

Theda Bara features a book by Jeff Hochhauser, music by Bob Johnston and lyrics by both men. "Back in the days before Madonna, Marilyn and even Jean Harlow," read production notes, "there was Theda Bara! In 1917, Theda was the Vamp, but instead of being an enigmatic import from Egypt, she is, in fact, Theodosia Goodman, a nice Jewish girl from Cincinnati. And what is her dream? Not to drive men gaga by mouthing 'Kiss me, my fool,' but to put on a pretty dress, go to synagogue and meet a nice rabbi."

The "Musicals in Mufti" series presents musicals in staged concert settings. "Mufti" means "in street clothes, without the usual trappings."

The York Theatre Company is located at 619 Lexington Avenue at the corner of 54th Street. Tickets for the "Mufti" productions are priced at $40 and can be purchased by calling (212) 868-4444 or by visiting www.smarttix.com. For more information, go to www.yorktheatre.org.

* The "Mufti" series continues with Irving Berlin's Miss Liberty (Dec. 9 12) and Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's Mirette.