Williamson says the evening, entitle Pure Heaven: The Music of Kay Thompson, is part of the development of the project. The performance will include excerpts from the play as Williamson describes the journey she took in researching and writing it. She will be backed up by four "Williams Brothers."

The show features direction by Michael Bush, musical direction by Dana P. Rowe and musical supervision by Joel Silberman. Brent Winborn will make a special guest appearance during Williamson's show..

Thompson, who was Judy Garland's vocal coach (and Liza Minnelli's godmother) and also the author of the popular "Eloise" children's book series, is beloved for her rather grand movie-musical performance in "Funny Face" (1957), in which she played a voracious fashion-magazine publisher and sang "Think Pink," "Bonjour, Paris" and The Gershwins' "Clap Yo Hands" (in a scatty comic duet with Fred Astaire). It was one of only a few movie performances. She is credited with creating vocal arrangements for a number of movie musicals ("Till the Clouds Roll By," "Ziegfeld Follies"). She died in 1998.

Williamson most recently appeared on Broadway in La Cage aux Folles. Her other credits include Epic Proportions, The Music Man and The Green Heart.

Birdland is located in Manhattan at 315 West 44th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. Tickets are priced $25 with a $10 food/drink minimum. Call (212) 581-3080 for tickets or visit www.instantseats.com/birdland.