New York's newest cabaret spot, the Garrick, opens Dec. 1 in midtown Manhattan with producer Scott Perrin presenting unknown and semi-known singers in a new series called "The Garrick Gaieties."

Named for the 1920s revues that introduced Rodgers and Hart and others, the series offers a spotlight to "the stars of tomorrow," Perrin told Playbill On-Line. Actress Tori Lynn Palazola (Always...Patsy Cline) begins the series 9 PM Dec. 1.

"Some [of our] performers are on Broadway, some not," Perrin said. "We'll have fresh faces -- the youngest, the newest the greatest. The stars of tomorrow."

He said his mission is not necessarily showcase an Audra McDonald (Ragtime), but to ask, "Who's the next Audra McDonald?"

Perrin, the producer of Off-Broadway's Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know and cabaret shows at Rainbow & Stars, said the 50-seat new space offers dinner and drinks, and has a cozy, wood-paneled, classic cabaret feel to it. The five-show series -- $10 per show plus two drink minimum - includes:

*Meg Flather 9 PM Dec.

*Emily Loesser, Bill Buell, Bill Youmans 9 PM Dec.

*Randi Megibow 9 PM Dec. 11

*Alyssa Kay 9 PM Dec. 12

Palazola is the Memphis, TN, native who starred in Always...Patsy Cline Off-Broadway. She sang country music before studying at the Boston Conservatory. In 1993, she played Eva in Evita at the Bucks County Playhouse, later reprising the role on tour.

Loesser, Buell and Youmans are all in the Broadway Titanic, and have collaborated on Youmans' stage musical bio of his great uncle, Vincent Youmans, I Want to Be Happy. The Loesser Garrick presentation, however, will not focus on composer Youmans.

The Garrick is on 49th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue, next door to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

-- By Kenneth Jones
and David Lefkowitz