PMT/Gargaro

I guess a new name hasn't really taken hold when, after several years, you still use the old one, too, as in "Pittsburgh Musical Theater, formerly Gargaro Productions." Or maybe it's just that Ken Gargaro is so intertwined with the group that the old name still works.

Whatever its name, PMT has had good news. In the past two months it's received its first two national grants, $50,000 each from the Hearst and Hot Topic foundations in support of its educational activities, including scholarships for the Rauh Conservatory and support for the Pre-College Players (students from a dozen high schools who study intensively in a half-day program).

Newly named PMT general manager Colleen Petrucci, who is also a resident choreographer, assisted on the gigantic Point State Park final shot for Carl Kurlander's movie, assembling 22 PMT students and alumni to dance their Pittsburgh spirit.

Poll time

This week's "42nd Street" is already the third show of the CLO season, with just one homegrown production to come ("Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"), then two tours ("Bombay Dreams" and "Spamalot"). So it's time for the CLO's annual audience poll of titles for next year.

I admit to occasionally waxing sarcastic about this poll, figuring it offers just a mirage of audience participation. But the top five shows on last year's poll are actually on this summer's schedule. And from a marketing standpoint, why wouldn't you listen to what your audience says?

So we can take the poll seriously, I guess. Of the 41 shows listed, here are some of my preferences, all shows I haven't seen in a long time: "Call Me Madam," "Calamity Jane," "Meet Me in St. Louis," "On the Twentieth Century" and "White Christmas."

I'd also be happy to see "Into the Woods," "The Secret Garden," "My Favorite Year" or "No, No Nanette."

Don't waste a vote on "Cats": We already know they're doing it. And I'd be happy if you did NOT vote for "Pippin," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Joseph and the Amazing Etcetera" or "They're Playing Our Song."

"Ragtime," "The Full Monty" and "Titanic" are available -- they would be fun. Also available are "The Color Purple" (isn't it touring?), "Hairspray" (what folds in Las Vegas opens up for the rest of us), "Wicked" (though the tour was just here) and "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life" (this must mean she's touring herself).

A couple of possibilities seem like jokes: "Barry Manilow's Copacabana" (again?!) and "The Student Prince" (but maybe it is time ...).

Then there are the old reliables: "Camelot," "Mame," "Oklahoma!," "West Side Story" (bet you 2-1 they do that) and "The Wizard of Oz."

If you're seeing "42nd Street" this week, fill out the poll. If you aren't, go to www.pittsburghCLO.org to vote -- but don't think you're allowed the 25 votes you could give Jason Bay.

The call board

Jennerstown's Mt. Playhouse is NOT doing "Cats" this month, as we had announced, but "The King and I" instead. The "Cats" rights were cancelled when a nonequity touring company scheduled "Cats" for one night in Johnstown, complicating the theater's auditions, brochures and other plans.

Pittsburgh's own "Sister," Kim Richards, is getting a three-week vacation from City Theatre's "Late Nite Catechism 2." She'll be replaced from July 15 to Aug. 6 by Nonie Newton-Breen. "Catechism 2" is now scheduled through Aug. 23, but it could be extended.

Tammy Ryan's "Dark Part of the Forest" is being staged through July 30 by Premiere Stages at Kean University in Union, N.J. It's billed as a premiere because Ryan has done significant rewriting since its workshop production here in 2000. For info, call 1-908-737-SHOW

CLO Late Night

Barbara Russell returns at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday this week and next with her popular cabaret solo, "Looking in Both Directions," inspired by 35 years of adventures and mishaps with the late Don Brockett. That's at the CLO's Late Night Cabaret, 655 Penn Ave.; $13 in advance, $15 at the door; 412-456-6666.

The bottom line

Paid admissions at city's pro theaters for the week ending July 9:

42nd Street/CLO (62%) ........ 13,970

Underpants/Mt.Playhouse(64%) ... 2,002

Catechism 2/City (86%) ........... 772

Boston Marriage/PICT (87%) ....... 659

Forb.Bway/CLO (35%) .............. 553