Founder and artistic director Doug Anderson told Playbill On-Line PCT launches this spring with a cabaret series at Society Hill Playhouse and follows with an original musical production using the music of Frank Sinatra.

  Singers Jeanette Bressler and Albert Fernandez kick off the cabaret series in May at The Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse, where PCT is in residence.

"My mission for the company is two-fold," Anderson said. "I have a plan to develop an ongoing presence for cabaret in Philadelphia. To make PCT a place where local singers — without the benefit of having a Broadway name — can work, without having to leave town.  And I'd like Philadelphia to be regarded by cabaret artists all over the country as a city they can come to and play their shows."

The other half of Philadelphia Cabaret Theatre is dedicated to presenting original musical productions that are cabaret-theatre hybrids in the tradition of Forever Plaid.

Other projects for PCT include a New Composers Series and a book-in-hand Broadway Hits series.  "I want cabaret and theatre to be happy bedfellows in my company," he said. Philadelphia Cabaret Theatre's first original production is Sinatra Redux, playing June 4-5 at 8 PM at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th Street.

The show does not focus on the seamier side of Sinatra's life, nor is it a multi-character revue, Anderson said. "It's a very intimate musical portrait of his music and delineates how he became such an innovator and pioneer of the American popular song."

Reservations for both Sinatra Redux and the cabaret series, as well as ticket prices and directions to the theatre, can be made by calling the box office (215) 923 0210.

Albert Fernandez debuts his cabaret show May 7-8, with Jeanette Bressler playing the following weekend, May 14 & 15. All shows are at 8 PM. More information about PCT can be found at www.philly-cabaret-theatre.com.