Under the artistic direction of Michael Bush, the conference runs through Aug. 8 in Waterford and offers performances from established stage veterans, as well as instruction from Tony nominee Penny Fuller and Barry Kleinbort, who guide participating cabaret fellows through the creation of new cabaret pieces. Cabaret performances include Mary Cleere Haran I Love Lyrics (July 30); Penny Fuller and Tony Roberts (July 31); 2009 Cabaret Fellows: Evening One (Aug. 1); Better: The Songs of Edward Kleban (Aug. 2); Gregg Edelman (Aug. 4); 2009 Cabaret Fellows: Evening Two (Aug. 6); and the Conference Finale (Aug. 8).

In addition to the new, developing project from Broadway's [title of show] cast on Aug. 2; the O'Neill will offer Easterhouse, a new work from Paul Scott Goodman (Rooms, Bright Lights, Big City) billed as "a musical about fathers and sons, fantasy and reality, life and death, music and dance" on Aug. 5; and the Michael Aman and Randi Michaels Block musical Secrets of Songwriting, "a musical about four very different female songwriters in Nashville," on Aug. 7.

For tickets phone (860) 443-1238 or visit www.theoneill.org.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center was founded in 1964 and is based in Waterford, CT. Programs at the Center include the Puppetry Conference, Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference and the National Theater Institute. The Monte Cristo Cottage, O'Neill's childhood home, is also owned and operated by the group.