The evening, which features Klea Blackhurst in the role of Broadway great Ethel Merman, will celebrate the original cast recording of Merman's Apprentice, produced by John Yap for Jay Records.

The concert version of the Stephen Cole and David Evans musical will also include Anita Gillette, Fred Applegate, Bill Nolte, Adam Grupper, Eddie Korbich, Brian Charles Rooney, F. Michael Haynie, Desi Oakley, Sarah Sessler and 13-year-old Elizabeth Teeter as Muriel Plakenstein.

A six-piece band led by Lawrence Yurman will back the performers. Orchestrations are by Lynne Shankel.

The new musical is described as such: "Picture it: 1970. The Golden Age of Musical Theatre is drawing to an end. But twelve-year-old Muriel Plakenstein doesn't know that. So she runs away from home to become a Broadway star, and meets the Queen of Broadway, Ethel Merman, who takes her to a Hello, Dolly! rehearsal where they sing together. When legendary producer David Merrick hears the kid, he decides to star Muriel in the first all-child cast of Dolly! Naturally, Merman takes her under wing to teach her the ropes of being a star...making little Muriel Plakenstein Merman's Apprentice."

The new CD will be available for sale at the performance. Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street. There is a $25 cover charge and a $10 food and beverage minimum. Email [email protected] for reservations or call (212) 581-3080.