Singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright [ tickets ] has a new album coming out tomorrow (5/15) and a new slate of North American dates to support it.

Wainwright launched a world tour last month with several shows in California. He has a couple of bookstore performances on the East Coast and an appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" this week before he heads off to Europe for a handful of gigs, including a five-night stand at London's Old Vic Theatre.

The performer will return to the US June 5 for a four-show run at New York City's Gramercy Theatre and a few other North American dates before heading back to Europe. On July 25, Wainwright begins a steady stream of US and Canadian shows through August. North American performances are listed below, and overseas shows can be found at Wainwright's website.

In late September, the singer will continue his string of tributes to Judy Garland, recreating her legendary Hollywood Bowl performance exactly 46 years after it took place.

Wainwright's new album, "Release the Stars," is his first self-produced set and his fifth studio recording, following 2004's "Want Two." The record, which Pet Shop Boys singer Neil Tennant executive produced, features contributions from Richard Thompson, violinist/guitarist/singer Joan Wasser and veteran British actress Sian Phillips, to name a few.

Wainwright said he envisioned "Release the Stars" as a "bare bones affair," but as an artist not exactly known for understatement, he ended up with something a bit more ornate with orchestral swells and a choir.

A couple of songs from the "Release the Stars" are streaming at Wainwright's MySpace page.