Chicago actress-singer Kathy Taylor, lately in the touring company of Martin Guerre, is giving exposure to Chicago songwriters with "Kat Taylor: Music of Chicago Composers," a new self-titled CD of cabaret and musical theatre tunes. The disc is an extension of a 1998 concert called "Open Door," presented at Chicago's Mercury Theatre in celebration of Taylor's 25 years in show business. Taylor has appeared in regional theatres and in national tours of Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. In Martin Guerre, expected for Broadway in 2000, she plays Madame DeRols, mother of romantic heroine Bertrande.

The disc includes "Open Door" (by Cheri Coons & Michael Duff, from Phantom of the Country Palace), "The Ghost at the Bijou" (by Coons & Beckie Menzie), "Metropolitan Scat" (by Coons & Duff), "You Should Know" (by Bob Pries, from Just Another Monday), "Love in a Lighter Vein" (by James Quinn), "E. M. Or G. (Engaged, Married or Gay)" (by Gregg Opelka), "Fantasy" (by June Shellene), "Sparkle" (by Adam Taylor), "Where Have I Been" (by Greg Walter), "Post-Feminist Torch Song" (by Coons & Menzie, from Female Problems), "I Won't Hear Applause Tonight" (by Duane Linden Nelson), "Dragonfly" (by Coons & T. Sivak, from Hunchback) and the Johnny Mercer-Jacques Prevert-Joseph Kosma standard, "Autumn Leaves" (in tribute to Taylor's parents).

Taylor's friends call her Kat' and that's how she chose to be known on disc, although her Equity name is Kathy Taylor.

"Music of Chicago Composers," on the M.A.M. Records label, is available in musical theatre specialty stores or by mail order. For information, try [email protected].

-- By Kenneth Jones