To help American audiences get to know the incoming diva, Elaine Paige, Atlantic Records has scheduled the U.S. release of British stage star's solo album, Encore for July 30, about a month before she makes her U.S. debut by taking over the coveted role of Norma Desmond in Broadway's Sunset Boulevard. Paige originated star female roles in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita and Cats, plus Chess and Piaf in London, but is virtually unknown to all but musicals cognoscenti in the U.S. -- at least until Monday, Aug. 26, when she makes her Broadway debut.

Encore features Paige singing many of her signature pieces: "Memory" from Cats, "I Know Him So Well" from Chess, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from Evita and "Hymne L'Amour" from Piaf, along with "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset, which she has performed in London.

The 1995 CD is on the Atlantic Theatre label (82861-2P).