Although the producers of the Broadway-bound Tom Sawyer still aren't sure whether the show will come to Broadway in Spring 1997 (this season) or autumn 1997, they are talking to various directors about the project, with Don Scardino, former artistic director of Playwrights Horizons, the leading candidate.

Tom Sawyer, a musical adaptation of Mark Twain's comic novel, has a book by Ken Ludwig (Moon Over Buffalo) and music and lyrics by Don Schlitz.

According to Samantha Holman of producer Elizabeth Williams' office, a reading of the show (songs included) took place Nov. 26, featuring Polly Holliday (TV's Flo on "Alice") as the Widow Douglas, Christopher Invar (Les Miz) as Injun Joe, and Cass Morgan (Pump Boys & Dinettes) as Aunt Polly. Tom was played by Sean Kennedy, Huck by Hunter Foster, Becky Thatcher by Jolie Jenkins, and Judge Thatcher by Dennis Parlato. Scardino directed the reading.

As she had told Playbill On-Line in November, Holman again said plans were still undecided as to when the show will come to Broadway. She did say the producers would have a much clearer idea by mid-February.

-- By David Lefkowitz