Part of the second annual New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), Cheerleader was written by Bill Augustin (book and lyrics) and Andrew Abrams (music). Daniel Goldstein directs the showcase presentation, which features choreography by Wendy Seyb and music direction by Brian Nash.

The Cheerleader cast features Hairspray's Chandra Lee Schwartz, Rent's Kelly Karbacz, 42nd Street's Blair Ross and Bare's Natalie Joy Johnson. The company also includes Kevin Anthony, Nicole Cicchella, John Dewar, Leo Ash Evens, Jack Ferver, PJ Griffith, John Hill, Paul Lane, Eric Lochtefeld, Sarah Katherine Mason, Stefani Miller, Jenna Pace, Annie Ramsey, Tom Richter, Enrico Rodriguez, Nick Sanchez and Nick Sullivan.

But I'm a Cheerleader, according to production notes, "is a wacky coming-of-age comedy about Megan (Schwartz), a typical high school cheerleader who has the perfect life. That is, until she finds out that everyone she knows thinks she's a lesbian and her parents send her away to a rehabilitation camp called True Directions. It is at this camp, under the strict tutelage of headmistress Mary Brown (Ross) that Megan meets Graham (Karbacz), a sexy tomboy who shows her exactly what her 'true direction' is."

The creative team for the workshop, which is executive produced by David Carpenter, comprises David Korins (set design), Ben Stanton (lighting design) and Heather Dunbar (costume design).

Performances are scheduled for Sept. 13 at 8 PM, Sept. 17 at 1 PM, Sept. 18 at 7 PM, Sept. 23 at 5 and 9 PM and Sept. 25 at 2 PM. Tickets, priced at $15, are available by calling (212) 352-3101. Visit www.nymf.org for more information.   *

The 1999 film "But I'm a Cheerleader" concerned a teenage girl who is sent to a "sexual redirection" school when her parents fear she is lesbian. The movie's cast included Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Cathy Moriarty, RuPaul, Michelle Williams, Mink Stole, Bud Cort, Melanie Lynskey and Joel Michaely.