Cabaret artist Suzanne Lorge's new show, Leavetakings, dubbed "a theatrical concert," premieres 7 PM, Sept. 16, at Don't Tell Mama in New York City.

Kimberly Vaughn directs and musical directs the piece, which follows the thematic threads of staying in, leaving and returning to relationships.

Songwriters represented include Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Frank Wildhorn, Burt Bacharach, Diana Ross, Ann Hampton Callaway, Cole Porter and David Lasely, with original songs by David Budway.

"The show is a mixture of pop and jazz tunes, with some interesting monologues that pull everything together," Lorge told Playbill On-Line.

The show has been in development for two years, "and the intention is to do more dates in November and December, both in New York and out of town," she said. Lorge is also working on a solo recording toward a 2000 release.

The actress-singer is frequently heard on albums as a backup singer, and singing and acting in commercial work. "Sometimes I'm the girl singing the high C, sometimes I'm the tenor," she said. "This show is very belty."

Lorge just completed singing and voice work on a Joan Rivers animated project called "Knit Wits."

She started out with the R&B rock band, Dangerous Rhythm, led by Paul Reed Smith. Among her more unique projects was performing at Carnegie Hall as soloist in The Jeweler's Shop, a play with music by written by Pope John Paul II before was named pontiff.

The Sept. 16 Leavetakings, which is a tryout for a longer run, has no charge, but a $10 drink minimum.

Director-musical director Vaughn is a Broadway producer (and sometimes Broadway and regional actress) who co-produced Marlene and Swinging on a Star.

Don't Tell Mama, one of the city's cabaret institutions, is at 343 W. 46th St. Call (212) 757-0788 for reservations.

-- By Kenneth Jones