A story in the Miami Herald, Feb. 18, announced 1997-98 bookings at major South Florida theatre tour venues, with dates and locales announced for Rent, Chicago, Tap Dogs, State Fair and Show Boat. (Please note that when Playbill On-Line contacted spokepersons for both Rent and Chicago, we were told that the announcements for those shows were premature and not confirmable.)

According to the Herald, Rent will come to the Jackie Gleason Theatre as part of its Miami Beach Broadway Series, April 21-May 3, 1998.

Chicago comes to the Gleason Nov. 4-9 and then to Fort Lauderdale's Broward Center, Nov. 11-23.

State Fair, with its Broadway star, John Davidson, hits the Gleason Dec. 9-14. Currently prepping for its Off-Broadway opening in March, Tap Dogs has tour dates set for the Broward Dec. 2-21, Palm Beach's Royal Poinciana Playhouse, Dec. 23-Jan. 4; and the Gleason Theatre Jan. 20-29, 1998.

Big will loom large at the Broward Center, Jan. 6-18, 1998 and Show Boat sails into the Center March 31, 1998 for an open-ended run. Gleason subscribers can see Les Miserables March 3-8, 1998. Full Gallop, the Off-Broadway hit starring Mary Louise Wilson, arrives at the Broward Jan. 20-Feb. 8, 1998 and then swoops into the Royal Poinciana Feb. 10-Feb. 22, 1998.

In Palm Beach, Kravis Center For The Performing Arts patrons will also be treated to Miss Saigon, Sept. 24-Oct. 19; Smokey Joe's Cafe, Feb. 3-8, 1998; and Hayley Mills in the King And I tour, March 17 22, 1998.