As reported by the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated model and budding actress Kathy Ireland is making her legit stage debut in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, Three Tall Women. Not only that, she's doing it at San Diego Repertory, now in its 22nd season.

Three Tall Women opened Off-Broadway April 1994 and has since become a regional and international theatre mainstay. The play has three major characters (and a non-speaking male cameo), representing three different ages in a woman's life. Jordan Baker played the Ireland role Off Broadway.

Ireland told AP one tough part of doing live theatre is all the lore and superstitions: "There is an old theatre superstition that if you whistle in the dressing room you have to leave, turn around three times and spit over your left shoulder, then knock on the door and ask permission to come in. [But] while I'm waiting around the dressing room I just whistle...I'm learning."

Directed by Glyn O'Mall hree Tall Women began performances Oct. 24, opened Oct. 31 and runs to Dec. 7. O'Malley previously directed Women at Portland Rep and has staged other Albee works at Provincetown Rep.

Co-starring are Lois Markle (Three Tall Women national tour) and Linda Williams Janke, a veteran of Oregon theatre. Brett Hershey plays the non-speaking role of the Boy. Following that show at San Diego Rep will be Douglas Jacobs' adaptation of A Christmas Carol (Nov. 29-Dec. 4), and an international dance festival (Jan. 8-18, 1998).

After that will come the John Jiler & Ray Leslee doo-wop musical, Avenue X, beginning previews Jan. 23, 1998, opening Jan. 30, 1998 and running to Feb. 22, 1998. The piece, which played Off-Broadway, won the Richard Rodgers' Musical Theatre Award.

Moliere's Imaginary Invalid follows (March 7-April 5, 1998), directed by Todd Salovey.

Closing the season will be the Latino comedy troupe, Culture Clash in their latest, Bordertown. Their previous show, Culture Clash Invades Miami played at the Rep last season, and they brought their Radio Mambo to Off-Broadway. Sam Woodhouse directs Bordertown, which starts previews May 22, 1998, opens May 29 and runs to June 28, 1998.

For tickets to San Diego Repertory productions call (619) 544-1000.

-- By David Lefkowitz