Bobbi Bates will co-star in "Victor/Victoria," the opening production of American Cabaret Theatre's 2008 season.

A gender-bending comedy, a swing dance showcase, a "Wizard of Oz" takeoff and tributes to soul and country music are all in store this year at American Cabaret Theatre.

The Downtown, cabaret-style center for musical theater will open its 18th season with "Victor/Victoria" on April 25, followed by "Swing!" on June 13, "The Wiz" on July 18 and two original revues, "Solid Gold Soul" on Sept. 19 and "Country Christmas Cabaret" on Nov. 21.

This is the first year that ACT has announced a full season of shows since 2005. Last year, the theater presented two half-seasons, announced separately.

Mark Kesling, ACT's chief operating officer, said that the change isn't just a formality. "The main reason we decided to announce a full season this year," he said, "is that there was some question in the community whether ACT was going to be here."

Kesling said a period of instability followed the 2005 departure of former ACT artistic director Claude McNeal. Kesling said the theater still has a $70,000 deficit, but that officials hope to pay it off this year.

The runs of several ACT musicals will be longer this season than in recent years.

"What we found in the past was that we were cutting off shows too soon, as they began to become more successful," said artistic director Bob Harbin. That was especially true with original revues, he said.

Single tickets ($22-$30) and eight-ticket flex-pass booklets are available at ACT's box office, 401 E. Michigan St., or by calling (317) 631-0334, ext. 102.

Here are more details about ACT's season:

April 25-June 1: "Victor/Victoria," based on the 1980s movie with Julie Andrews, tells of a gifted, down-on-her-luck singer and a gay impresario who comes up with a scheme to revive her career by marketing her as a male entertainer. ACT's cast will star Bobbi Bates as Victoria, Ron Spencer as the impresario and Dave Ruark as a mobster.

June 13-July 6: "Swing!," a musical that premiered on Broadway in 1999. It features more than 30 dance numbers to tunes including Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing," the Andrews Sisters' "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and Glenn Miller's "In the Mood."

July 18-Aug. 17: "The Wiz," a black adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz," the classic story of a Kansas farm girl transported to a fantastic world. ACT will feature a cast of teenagers.

Sept. 19-Oct. 26: "Solid Gold Soul," an original revue featuring tunes made famous by Barry White, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Dionne Warwick and Al Green.

Nov. 21-Dec. 21: "Country Christmas Cabaret," spotlighting holiday tunes and hits by Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Charlie Pride and contemporary entertainers.