Second installment of civic theater fund-raiser is ready to shock

and delight audiences

ALBANY - Local cabaret theater group Puttin' On The Bitz is at it again with "Naughty Bitz II," slated for 8 p.m. Friday at Albany Civic Theater, 111 First Ave. S.W.

The second installment of last year's popular performance is again a fund-raiser for the theater.

In addition to renovations under way, ACT needs a new fire sprinkler system.

Puttin' On the Bitz was added to the season a few months ago. Originally they planned on performing at a free summer concert series, but instead decided they'd "jump in and help with the cost where we could," said Carri Moffatt, a member of Puttin' On The Bitz.

Moffatt also performed last year in the original "Naughty Bitz."

This year's performance will include songs from Monty Python's "Spamalot"; "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" the musical; "Avenue Q," a warp-out version of "Seasame Street"; Jonathan Larson's "Rent"; South Park; and Disney's "Beauty and the Beast."

Like any review, "Naughty Bitz II" is a collection of songs.

"To some extent we've patched together songs that work together well," said Brad Townsend, director and member of the show. "It's not really a through story."

Some of the songs are in the traditional forms you would hear from their perspective shows, such as "Seasons of Love" from "Rent." However, the group turned some into parodies, like "Gaston" from "Beauty and the Beast."

Like last year, Friday's show includes songs that the group cannot perform in front of a general audience but always wanted to perform.

"There are several numbers that are perfectly acceptable for all audiences," Moffat said.

The majority of the songs, however, are not suitable for children or those who are easily offended.

Additional changes this year include more group numbers and movement. The additions have made rehearsals tricky since several Bitz members are also in "Into The Woods," which opens at ACT at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18.

Additional Bitz members are: Anya Corbitt, Miles Fletcher, Charlie Prince, Cathy Sams and Melanie Zepp.

Members of the band include: Sams on keyboard, Dow Yeh on keyboard, Cheryl Leckie on bass and Jim Ford on drums.