Casting is ongoing for the crucial role of Mrs. Meers, the failed diva who dons Chinese dragon-lady drag and sells nubile orphan-actresses to a white slaver. Her oft-repeated line in the show when addressing the orphans she's going to sell off is, "Sad to be all alone in the world."

Harris, known for her precise, brittle, dry and funny delivery in the show (and on TV series such as "Frasier" and "The Five Mrs. Buchanans") won a 2002 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

The actress is joining the developing TV series about two gay men raising a daughter, for ABC. Chris Sieber, who appeared in Millie as a replacement for Marc Kudisch recently, while Kudisch was in New York City Opera's A Little Night Music, stars in the new series.

Kudisch is leaving Millie, too, for the new Off-Broadway musical, The Thing About Men. His exit date has not been announced.

In the aborning tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chicago acting star Hollis Resnik plays Meers and is double-cast as Miss Flannery, who run the typing pool. Flannery is played on Broadway Anne L. Nathan, who has covered for Harriet.

Millie snagged 2002 Tonys for Best Musical, Best Costumes, Best Orchestrations and Best Choreography and Best Actress. The score is by composer Jeanine Tesori and lyricist Dick Scanlan. Scanlan penned the book with the late Richard Morris. Michael Mayer directed.

Performances continue at the Marquis Theatre.