Featuring a book and lyrics by Christopher Durang set to Peter Melnick's music, the film-noir musical parody is set in a world that spans "from the opium dens of China to the lowlife bars of New York [where] the leading lady can always get a job singing in nightclubs no matter how she sings, and the leading man is always mysterious and can't go home for murky reasons he won't explain." The press was invited to view an open rehearsal of the Sheryl Kaller-directed piece. Christopher Gattelli choreographs the work that is slated to begin previews Jan. 23 and open Feb. 13 for a limited engagement through March 4 at 59E59 Theaters. Musical direction is by Fred Lassen.

At left (from top): Director Sherry Kaller and composer Peter Melnick; Rachel deBenedet and Alan Campbell; book writer/lyricist Christopher Durang; Orville Mendoza and Michele Ragusa; Alan Campbell and Michele Ragusa; choreographer Christopher Gattelli; Michele Ragusa, Elisa Van Duyne and Orville Mendoza.

Below: (top) Elisa Van Duyne, Michele Ragusa, Orville Mendoza, Alan Campbell, Will Swenson, Rachel deBenedet and Jonathan Rayson; (bottom) choreographer Christopher Gattelli, musical director Fred Lassen (front row) book and lyric writer Christopher Durang, director Sherry Kaller, composer Peter Melnick.

photos by Aubrey Reuben