One of New York City's most praised cabaret singers, Mary Cleere Haran, will make her second appearance on Penn State's campus April 8 as part of the Center for the Performing Art's Festival of Human Voices season.

Known for her savvy interpretations of classic song from the 1940s, Haran will bring her talents to the intimate setting of Schwab Auditorium.

Haran made her debut to Penn State and local audiences in 2001, when she opened for the famous tap dancer and entertainer Gregory Hines at Eisenhower Auditorium.

"After her performance, we heard from so many of the patrons that they really enjoyed her performance, so we decided to bring her back," said Laura Sullivan, marketing and communications director for the Center for the Performing Arts.

"We brought her here on purpose to open for Gregory Hines to see how this particular genre of music would go over with the audience," said Susan Stockton, director for the Center of the Performing Arts. "The response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic."

This time Haran will be performing a full-length show called, My Shining Hour: Movie Love in the 1940s. The songs from the performance will come from her second album, This Heart of Mine: Classic Movie Songs of the '40s, which includes songs such as "That Old Black Magic" from Star Spangled Rhythm and "Out of This World" from Cover Girl.

Though her songs may be unfamiliar to younger audiences, Haran brings a contemporary flare to her music.

"Some of her music has hints of jazz interpretations and she has done pieces with a touch of rock. You never know, she might even do a rap version," said Pete Keifer, curator of the Fred Waring collection at Pattee Library.

Many students, particularly from the music and theatre departments are being encouraged to attend the performance.

"Haran is the diva of cabaret singers. She typically only performs in big cities such as New York , Chicago and San Francisco," Keifer said. "Now, she will be right in our back yard."

Keifer said Haran's voice is reminiscent of well-known cabaret singers of the past such as Mabel Mercer and Julie Wilson.

"In the past 10 years, particularly in New York, there has been a resurgence of cabaret singers in venues such as the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel and the Rainbow Room," Stockton said.

Haran adds her own unique touch to the cabaret scene by providing historical commentary to her songs and their relevance to the United States.

"She is an impeccable singer and is able to draw more meaning out of the lyrics," Keifer said. "You know when she sings, she is living that song."

Before the show an informal discussion, Artistic Viewpoints, will be held to offer insight into the life of the Haran. The discussion will be led by Pete Keifer and take place at 6:30 p.m. The discussion is free to ticket holders.