SEE OF THEE I SING, BABY! I just got back from enjoying Of Thee I Sing--the third and last Encores! show of the season--and had to dash out this note urging you to see it during its weekend run. The energetic production of this Pulitzer Prize-winning satire is funny and tuneful--more evidence of how great the Gershwins and their collaborators could be when it came to musical theater.

The music is a delightful pastiche of styles that is best appreciated in a theatrical context. The book--by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind--tells a story of yahoos swept up in presidential politics. Its satire remains funny yet sad in that most of it remains relevant 75 years after its whirlwind creation.

As Presidential aspirant John P. Wintergreen, Victor Garber manages to conjure and combine the smarmiest qualities of George Bush as well as Bill Clinton. Jennifer Laura Thompson, a Tony nominee for Urinetown, plays his love interest Mary Turner with shrewd sweetness. As spurned sex bomb Diana Devereaux, Jenny Powers delivers an outstanding interpretation of "Jilted"--and I'm amazed to read that she has also played Alice B. Toklas and Meg March! Jefferson Mays--formerly of I Am My Own Wife and "thrilled and terror-stricken in equal measure to be performing in his first musical"--giddily channels the spirit of Wally Cox as Alexander Throttlebottom. Strong in their supporting roles are David Pittu (as The French Ambassador) and spunky singers/dancers/actors Jeffry Denman and Mara Davi.

Director John Rando (of Urinetown and the Encores! Strike Up the Band), music director Paul Gemignani, and choreographer Randy Skinner deserve a hand for bringing out much of the show's magic.

And yes: Liza Minnelli was there with Michael Feinstein, receiving much love from fans and other celeb types.

Here's the schedule for Of Thee I Sing. Discounts are available through Playbill.com and Theatermania.com--and, quite possibly, TKTS.