Carter, remembered for her turn on the television series “Designing Women,” has played in Broadway’s Master Class and Pal Joey. Wuhl, the current star in HBO's “Arli$$” has been seen in such films as "Batman," "Bull Durham" and "Good Morning Vietnam."

Paper Doll focuses on the 1960’s author Jacqueline Susann. The scribe — also the subject of the Bette Midler-Nathan Lane movie "Isn't She Great" — was known for her boisterous personality as well as her book "Valley of the Dolls." Carter plays Susann, while Wuhl plays her husband/manager Irving Mansfield. The cast also includes Joanne Genelle and Adrian Rieder.

The new stars replace a long list of names previously attached to the once-Broadway bound project including Andrea Martin, Marlo Thomas, Fran Drescher and F. Murray Abraham. Martin and Abraham who were announced for the Long Wharf run dropped the project due to scheduling conflicts.

Abraham starred opposite Thomas in the play's world premiere at Pittsburgh Public Theater in late 2001. In February March 2002, the slightly revised play had a run in North Carolina. The play was to be fast-tracked to Broadway's Cort Theatre for spring 2002, but producer Wreghitt and his partners decided to bide their time.

Tickets to Paper Doll at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT, can be purchased by calling (203) 787-4282. For more information, visit www.longwharf.org.