Putting on shows so shows can go on

Leading Broadway composer Charles Strouse (of "Bye Bye Birdie" and "Annie" fame) will waltz into the Seattle area this week for a benefit workshop performance of his new musical by the local Showtunes! Theatre Company.

The event is one of the several fundraising galas that local theater organizations have in the works. And theaters have some advantage over many other needy, worthy groups when it comes to drumming up funds: They have great access to ready talent and expertise in putting on a show.

Here are several such weekend shindigs, for which the purchase of a ticket will make you an "angel" for a theater group of choice.

"Dancing With Time"

Showtunes!, which specializes in respected concert stagings of "neglected" musicals, will host this special performance on Saturday of a new tuner for which Strouse has created the book, lyrics and music.

The troupe has marshaled a prime local cast that includes Erik Englund, Jessica Skerritt and Nick DeSantis to read and sing a show that is "set against the backdrop of the theater and political worlds."

The Kirkland Performance Center event also includes a champagne and buffet reception and a silent auction. And proceeds will help the Showtunes! people mount their 2007-08 season of the following chamber shows: "Rodgers & ... ," a new tribute to Broadway composer Richard Rodgers and his collaborators, devised by "Annie" lyricist Martin Charnin; "Promises, Promises," the little-seen, well-regarded Burt Bacharach-Hal David show from 1968, based on the Billy Wilder film "The Apartment"; and the 1961 Broadway-London musical comedy "Sail Away," one of Noël Coward's later efforts.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, at the Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland; $50 (425-893-9900 or www.showtunestheatre.org).

Summer Moon Speakeasy

Washington Ensemble Theatre is taking another route to rounding up some cash.

The intrepid Capitol Hill company promises "naughty burlesque," "strong hooch," and "mad dancing" at its fundraising revels tonight, which take place in the Poncho Forum at Seattle Repertory Theatre. There will be music by Red Note and the Shanks, cabaret performances by the WET acting crew, and (of course) the ubiquitous charity auction.

6:30 tonight, at Poncho Forum, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center; $35 (800-838-3006 or www.washingtonensemble.org).

"Awesome" Strawberry Theatre Workshop Benefit

This benefit is billed as "awesome" for a good reason: Seattle's up-and-coming musical-performance troupe "Awesome," noted for its recent show "Delaware," will be the headliner.

Also lending a hand to the worthy Strawberry folks, who specialize in mounting contemporary plays with a political bent (sometimes garnished with puppetry), is the bluegrass-acoustic-punk band Half Brothers.

Food and drink will also be offered, along with a raffle for a free trip to Peru and ... you guessed it! An auction.

8 p.m. Saturday, Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave., Seattle; $10 (800-838-3006 or www.strawshop.org).

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com