Linda Hamilton, who broke out as the buff and tough Sarah Connors in "Terminator" and "Terminator 2," is the captivating Laura in Vera Caspary and George Sklar's romantic mystery of the same name, playing Nov. 8-Dec. 17 at Los Angeles' Tiffany Theatre. The show officially opens Nov. 10. Lynette McNeil (Intermission, Runaways) directs.

Hamilton first made a splash on the small screen as the beauty in the CBS fantasy series, "Beauty and the Beast." She played Sarah Connor in both "Terminator"s and had roles in "Mr. Destiny," "Shadow Conspiracy," "Silent Fall" and "Dante's Peak."

Based on the classic 1944 film noir (which was, in turn, based on Caspary's novel), Laura is the women with whom every man she comes in contact with falls in love. On the eve of her wedding to playboy Shelby Carpenter, she's found murdered. Merely the portrait of the girl brings Detective Mark McPherson under her spell, complicating his investigation into her death. David Raksin's hit song "Laura," originally written for the movie, will be featured in the production.

Co-starring with Hamilton will be Robin Thomas ("The Contender") as Detective McPherson, Stanley Kamel (The Poison Tree, "Melrose Place," "L.A. Law") as wealthy journalist Waldo Lydecker, Tom Astor (The Lisbon Traviata) as Shelby Carpenter, Matthew Godfrey ("You Can't Do That on Television") as Danny Dorgan, Karen Tarleton as Mrs. Dorgan and Myra Turley as Bessie Clarey.

Designing Laura are John Iacovelli (sets), Monique L'Houreux (lighting), Dick Magnanti (costumes) and Brigid O'Brien (production stage manager). Tickets are $25. The Tiffany Theater is located at 8532 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. For reservations, call (310) 289-2999.

-- By Christine Ehren