The series also includes a cabaret of songs written by Signature's "Next Generation" of composers; artistic director Eric Schaeffer is committed to new musicals.

Here's the schedule at a glance:

On July 7 behind-the-scenes stars appear onstage in Revenge of the Understudies II featuring performances by the understudies of this past season's Signature productions.

On July 8 and 9 Helen Hayes Award winner Natascia Diaz, star of Kiss of the Spider Woman, performs her cabaret show with pianist Chris Foley.

On July 10 Washington-area chanteuse Judy Simmons performs at 7:30 PM followed by Washington Improv Theatre at 9:30 PM doing iMusical: The Improvised Musical — "amazing improvised scenes, lyrics, and music, all inspired by a single audience suggestion." On July 11 Helen Hayes winner Will Gartshore, one of Signature's most popular leading men, will perform his cabaret Perfect/Finite, "an eclectic combination of pop, rock, and contemporary theater songs of auspicious beginnings, messy endings, and love's beautiful flaws."

The second week of cabarets begins on July 15 with popular Signature actor Stephen Gregory Smith "performing with his unique brand of humor and style."

On July 16 young theatre composer Peter Lerman will entertain with his own musical compositions.

Former Broadway "Dreamgirl" and award-winning artist Julia Nixon will perform music from rhythm & blues to funky torch songs and velvety ballads on July 17 for two performances.

On July 18 and 19 at 7:30 PM the Tony-nominated Scottish actor/singer Euan Morton comes down to Arlington from New York's Oak Room at the Algonquin and Joe's Pub to take over Signature. The 9:30 PM show on July 18 brings Second City alum, comic and cabaret performer Colleen McHugh.

The third week of performances starts on July 21 with Signature favorite, Side Show Tony Award nominee, and star of Signature's upcoming Dirty Blonde, Emily Skinner, "singing the wide range of her repertory from the heartbreaking to the humorous."

On July 22 Signature "offers up new music by some of the most exciting young musical theatre composers of our day," Gabriel Kahane, Adam Gwon, Peter Foley, Marisa Michelson and Matt Conner. The Next Generation Composer Cabaret, part of Signature's American Musical Voices Project, will be performed by some of Signature's favorite singer/actors.

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Starting 45 minutes before performance time, patrons can visit Ali's Bar in the Signature lobby and bring choice wine, beer, mixed drinks, and chef-prepared fare right to their table in the theatre.

Tickets for all cabarets are $20 general admission. An all-access cabaret pass costs $75.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-SEAT (7328) or visiting www.signature-theatre.org.

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Recipient of the 2009 Regional Theater Tony Award, Signature has presented over 25 world premiere productions. The Equity company has been honored with 69 Helen Hayes Awards, including Outstanding Musical in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2006, and 2008, and Outstanding Play in 1999.

Signature Theatre is nine minutes from downtown Washington, DC in Arlington's Shirlington Village. The new theatre complex is located at 4200 Campbell Avenue (22206) off I-395 at the Shirlington exit.