Buoyed by the success of their exploration into the folk stylings of Woody Guthrie's American Song, The Melting Pot Theatre will explore another genre of early twentieth century pop music, ragtime. Fables in Slang - A Ragtime Revue by Gene Jones will play at NY's Theatre Three, April 21-May 30. The Melting Pot production officially opens on April 25.

Based on the writings of humorist George Ade, Fables explores the jumpy tunes of the ragtime-era utilizing tunes composed by Scott Joplin, Irving Berlin and Bert Williams.

Nick Corley (world premiere of Civil War) will direct a cast including Nancy Anderson (Public Theatre's Wild Party), Elizabeth Arnold (Phantom), Jeff Edgerton (Parade), Gene Jones (The Fantasticks, Big River, Joe Turner's Come and Gone) and Michael Mandell (A New Brian, and The Christmas Carol).

Peter Muir provides the arrangements and musical direction, with Jennifer Paulson Lee choreographing, Todd Potter on sets, Daryl A. Stone on costumes, and lighting design by Stephen Petrilli.

For tickets ($35), call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200. -- By Sean McGrath