By Andrew Gans
08 Jul 2005

Q: What other projects are in the works for you?
Somers: I have a nine-book contract with Crown. I've written 13 [in all]. I just turned in two, so I've got seven more books to write on this contract. I have kind of what we call the Woody Allen contract; they pretty much let me go where I want to go.

Q: Do you enjoy writing?
Somers: Love it. I don't like to be without it. When I don't have a writing project, I feel like my arm is missing. Every time I have some kind of event in my life or a problem, I write about it, and it seems like everybody else seems to have the same events and problems as me. We're all the same.

Q: How's your health these days?
Somers: As of a month ago, I'm five years [cancer free], and they say that's the magic number. And I feel great.

Q: One final question. When people hear the name Suzanne Somers, what would you like them to think?
Somers: "I tell you the truth." I do always, maybe it works for me or against me, I don't know, but it's all I know. And if you see this show, you'll know I wasn't always like that.

[The Blonde in the Thunderbird plays the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 West 47th Street. Call (212) 307-4100 for tickets.]

DIVA TIDBITS

A host of Broadway favorites will take part in Broadway Barks 7!, set for Saturday, July 30 in Shubert Alley. Friends and Broadway Barks co-creators Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore will return as hosts for the event, which begins at 3:30 PM with the celebrity presentation of pets from New York City animal shelters scheduled for 5:30 PM. About the upcoming event, two-time Tony Award winner Peters recently said, "Mary and I are delighted that Broadway Barks continues to be such a popular event, and we are deeply moved by the enthusiasm and support from the legions of fans and animal lovers who attend the event every year. We are especially pleased to report that the euthanasia rate in New York has dropped 26 percent since 2003. That’s a very encouraging statistic. It means that people are rescuing thousands of New York City area dogs and cats each year by spaying and neutering or by adopting pets through shelters participating in events such as Broadway Barks." Among those scheduled to present animals during the annual dog and cat adopt-a-thon are Delta Burke, Victoria Clark, Billy Crudup, Erin Dilly, Ryan Duncan, Christine Ebersole, Mireille Enos, Harvey Fierstein, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Joanna Gleason, Jeff Goldblum, John Glover, David Harbour, Shuler Hensley, Crystal Hunt, Gregory Jbara, Cheyenne Jackson, Ginifer King, Alix Korey, Marc Kudisch, Andrea Martin, Madeline Martin, Marsha Mason, Jan Maxwell, Rue McClanahan, Maureen McGovern, Michael Mulheren, Denis O’Hare, Brad Oscar, David Hyde Pierce, Christopher Sieber, Frances Sternhagen and Jeffrey Tambor. Celebrity-autographed memorabilia is also available for auction on www.eBay.com using the key words "Broadway Barks." Proceeds from the auction and the July 30 event will benefit those shelters and organizations taking part in the fundraiser. Shubert Alley is located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. In the event of rain, Broadway Barks 7! will be held Sunday, July 31 at noon. For more information call (212) 840-0770, ext. 477 or log on to www.broadwaybarks.com.

Idina Menzel, the Tony-winning Wicked actress, has added an additional concert at the Provincetown Theater due to popular demand. Originally scheduled to play the Massachusetts theatre Aug. 19 and 20 at 9 PM, the singing actress will now also perform there Aug. 21 at 8 PM. Tickets, priced $36 (advance) and $41 (at the door), are available by calling (508) 487-7487 or by visiting www.ptowntix.com. The Provincetown Theater is located at 238 Bradford Street; go to www.ptowntheater.org for more information.

Feinstein's at the Regency, the New York nightspot created by cabaret star Michael Feinstein, has announced its fall schedule. The 2005 season will kick off with Kitty Carlisle Hart. The veteran actress-singer will play the intimate boite Sept. 20-24 to celebrate her 95th birthday. Pizzarelli and Pizzarelli will follow, playing Sept. 27-Oct. 8 The evenings will feature the John Pizzarelli Quartet with special guest Bucky Pizzarelli. Tony Award winner Carol Channing will bring her new act to Feinstein's Oct. 11-22. Michele Lee, most recently on Broadway in The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, will play Nov. 15-26, and Michael Feinstein will return to his namesake club Nov. 29-Dec. 10 and Dec. 19 30. That month will also include a week of songs from Broadway favorite Rebecca Luker, who will play Feinstein's Dec. 12-15. Feinstein's at the Regency is located within the Regency Hotel at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street. Most shows have a $60 cover and a $40 minimum. Call (212) 339 4095 for reservations.

Broadway belters Liz Callaway and Linda Eder will both perform several concerts with this Boston Pops this summer. Callaway, who can be heard on the new all-star Hair recording from Sh-K-Boom Records, will join Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops July 30 (at the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA), Aug. 6 (at the Durfee High School in Fall River, MA), Aug. 7 (at Town Green in Hyannis, MA) and Aug. 21 (at Meadowbrook in Gilford, NH). Jekyll & Hyde's Eder will also spend a few evenings with the famed orchestra: Aug. 10 (at the Mann Center in Philadelphia, PA), Aug. 11 (at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA) and Aug. 13 (at Jetties Beach in Nantucket, MA). For more information visit www.bso.org.

Well, that's all for now. Happy diva-watching! Be sure to look out for Diva Talk 'At Sea' next week! E-mail questions or comments to agans@playbill.com.