Tallulah and Hattie: Dead at the Pearly Gates Cafe, a world premiere musical cabaret-style musical, is the meat in Marietta, Georgia's Theatre in the Square's summer sandwich. The children's fable, Ama and the White Crane, will open the season and A.R. Gurney's Sylvia closes it.

Written by Maureen O'Toole and based on Asian folk tales, Ama traces a little fishergirl's path to knowledge as she travels the hard path to Mount Sumeru, the legendary center of the universe. Along the way, she is helped by a puppet White Crane. Appropriate for ages 5-10, Ama runs May 30-June 17 on the Alley Stage. Alan Kirkpatrick directs.

Pamela Parker and composer Nat Martin have constructed Tallulah and Hattie, a possible glimpse into the lives -- or after-lives -- of Tallulah Bankhead and Hattie McDaniel as they serenade the new souls entering heaven. Bernardine Mitchell (Hattie) and Sally Bondi (Tallulah) sing the original score, which includes "Big Hair, Big Dreams" and "When I Get My Wings." Kimberley Dobbs directs. Tallulah and Hattie runs June 20-Aug. 6 on the mainstage.

Sylvia, Gurney's fanciful tale of a canine whose love for her master almost destroys his love life, makes a return appearance at the Alley Theatre June 27-Aug. 13. Shelly McCook stars as the pooch with Jared Simon, Josie Lawsona and Doyle Reynolds filling out the rest of the cast. Jill Jane Clements directs.

Tickets are $30-$20 for Tallulah, $25-$20 for Sylvia and $7 $5 for Ama. Theatre in the Square is located at 11 Whitlock Avenue. For reservations, call (770) 422-8369. -- By Christine Ehren