Katherine Turner stars as celebrated diva of stage and screen, Tallulah Bankhead in the play Tallulah by Sandra Ryan Heyward at Florida's Coconut Grove Playhouse, beginning previews Jan. 5, for a Jan 8-31, 1999 run.

As first reported by Playbill On-Line, Tallulah takes place as Bankhead is preparing to host a fundraiser of 350-plus people for incumbent president Harry S. Truman. As she fusses and frets over every detail of the party, Tallulah sips champagne and divulges some of the best secrets, passions and regrets of her life.

Tallulah with Turner premiered in July 1997 at the Chichester Festival Theatre in Sussex, England.

Turner made her Broadway debut as a replacement in the long-running Albert Innaurato comedy, Gemini . Since then, she's been nominated for a Tony for her portrayal of "Maggie the Cat" in the 1990 revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and appeared in the 1995 production of Jean Cocteau's Indiscretions.

With her trademark husky voice, Turner came to Hollywood attention in the 1981 film "Body Heat", leading to sexy siren roles in films like "V.I. Warshawski," "The Man With Two Brains," and "Prizzi's Honor." Other roles include "Serial Mom" and "Romancing the Stone." Turner received an Oscar nomination for her lead role in the Francis Ford Coppola 1986 film, "Peggy Sue Got Married." For tickets ($35-$40) or more information on Kathleen Turner in Tallulah , Jan. 5 - 31, at the Coconut Grove Playhouse - call (305) 442-4000.

-- By Sean McGrath