The Jan. 14 Jack of Tarts fundraiser will be held at the Cutting Room from 8-11 PM. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to bid on tarts created by chefs from across the city and hear selections from the new musical penned by Eric Wallach, Chris Tanner and Paul Johnson.
Among the New York chefs and bakers who will put their tarts to the test are Matt Hutchins of Tompkins Square Bakery, Patty Jackson of Centovini, Tony Liu of August and Julie Taras of Little Giant.
As part of the benefit evening, the cast of Jack of Tarts — including Michael Lynch, Lance Cruce, Chris Tanner, Julie Atlas Muz, Jen Cintron, Sarah Rolleston, Meg Cavanaugh and Richard Spore — will perform selections from the musical: "Love Is A Slippery Slope," "Today's the Day" and "Tarts."
Admission for the Jan. 14 Cutting Room fundraiser is pay-what-you-can. The Cutting room is located in Manhattan at 19 W. 24th Street.
Jack of Tarts co-creator Eric Wallach directs the quirky musical, which according to press notes is "an audacious fairy tale set in a kingdom called Tartannia where life is centered around the consumption of irresistible tarts. On the day of the annual Grand High Tea, a revolutionary named Agnes endeavors to blow the house of tarts down. The Queen of Tarts and her tart-making son, the Jack of Tarts, feel the threat of impending rebellion. Things get even more complicated when a brazen hemophiliac named Annabel Lee comes to town and steals the Jack’s heart." Eric Wallach and Chris Tanner penned book and lyrics for the new musical that features a 16-song score and additional lyrics by Paul Johnson. Songs in the production include "Gimme Gimme" and "Queen Queen."
Creative duties are handled by Garry Hayes (set design), Becky Hubbert (costume design), Paul Jebson (lighting design), Lance Cruce (musical arrangements) and Erick Paiva Nouchi (video design).
The Jack of Tarts - A Bittersweet Musical will play LaMaMa e.t.c. through Feb. 17. Tickets are available by calling (212) 475-7710 or by visiting www.lamama.org.
LaMaMa e.t.c. is located at 74A East 4th Street in Manhattan.
