Director Jude Kelly , O.B.E. will helm the annual "Nothing Like a Dame" benefit at the Martin Beck Theatre on March 12. Country music recording artist Reba McEntire, who currently stars in Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, has also joined the company.

As reported, "Dame 2001" supports the Actors' Fund Women's Health Initiative and will feature many of Broadway's top stars in a non-stop evening featuring music, dance and theatre.

Besides McEntire, Lauren Bacall, Polly Bergen, Pat Birch, Zoe Caldwell, Lea DeLaria, Sandy Duncan, Tovah Feldshuh, Lauren Flanigan, Amanda Green, Celeste Holm, Dee Hoty, Anne Jackson, Joan Kwuon, Marin Mazzie, Bebe Neuwirth, Phyllis Newman, Christine Pedi, Lynn Redgrave, Marla Schaffel, Karen Ziemba, The Radio City Rockettes, Sally Mayes, George Dworski (aka Pete 'n' Kelly), children from the Jacques d'Amboise National Dance Institute, the Broadway Tenors, female cast members from "virtually every Broadway show," as well as "Honorary Dames" Andre DeShields, The Full Monty's "Hot Metal" and Mario Cantone are scheduled to perform.

Actor, director and breast cancer survivor Phyllis Newman founded the Women's Health Initiative in her name. The group "addresses health issues which impact women in the entertainment industry."

The producers committee for the benefit comprises Terri Childs, Maria DiDia, Susan Quint Gallin, Jane Harmon, Joanne Jacobsen, Norma Langworthy, Harriet Leve, Jessica Levy, Margo Lion, Elizabeth McCann, Chase Mishkin, Annette Niemtzow, Kathleen Raitt, Isobel Robins, Daryl Roth, Anne Strickland Squadron, Arielle Tepper and Fran Weissler. Tickets to "Nothing Like a Dame 2001" are $40-$1,000. The show starts at 8 PM and, in the tradition of the event, will likely be followed by some sort of after-party, although pans have not been finalized at this writing. The Martin Beck is located at 302 W. 45th St. For information and reservations call (212) 221 7300 or visit www.actorsfund.ord.

—By Murdoch McBride