Joining the previously announced Amanda Plummer and Kevin Anderson as, respectively, Alma Winemiller and John Buchanan Jr., will be Terry Beaver (Reverend Winemiller), Jennifer Harmon (Mrs. Winemiller), Mateo Gómez (Papa Gonzales), Stephanie Beatriz (Rosa), Bill Kux (Roger), Nafe Katter (Dr. Buchanan), Curtis Billings (Archie and Dusty), Marta Reiman (Nellie), Johanna Morrison (Mrs. Bassett), John Ort (Vernon) and Elizabeth Capinera (Rosemary and Pearl). Hartford Stage artistic director Michael Wilson will direct.

Summer and Smoke is scheduled to begin performances at the New Jersey theatre Jan. 10, 2007. The limited engagement will play through Feb. 11. The Williams work, according to press notes, concerns "a lonely minister's daughter, Alma Winemiller, [who] is a spinster living in a rural Mississippi town. She finds her only solace in a secret lifelong love for the boy-next-door, now grown into the handsome ladies' man Dr. John Buchanan. Eventually, Alma is tortured by her unrequited passion and begins to make desperate attempts to get his attention. But her repressed nature clashes with John's wanton ways, leading to a climactic battle of wills that changes them both forever."

The creative team for the production comprises Tony Straiges (scenic design), Rui Rita (lighting design), David C. Woolard (costume design) and John Gromada (sound design and original music).

Summer and Smoke will play Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, Thursdays at 2 and 7:30 PM, Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 and 8 PM and Sundays at 2 and 7:30 PM. Tickets, priced $19-$68, are available by calling (973) 376-4343 or by visiting www.papermillorg.

The Paper Mill season will continue with Romance, Romance (Feb. 28-April 1, 2007), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (April 11-May 13) and Pirates! (June 6-July 15). The Paper Mill Playhouse is located in Millburn, NJ on Brookside Drive.