Sally Ann Howes, recently featured in Broadway's James Joyce's The Dead, and a fond memory to many as Truly Scrumptious in the film, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," will play Countess Aurelia in the Goodspeed-at-Chester/Norma Terris Theatre revised revival of Dear World, Nov. 16-Dec. 10.

Richard Sabellico directs the new version of the 1969 musical by Jerry Herman, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, based on Jean Giraudoux's The Madwoman of Chaillot. The Chester, CT, arm of the Goodspeed Opera House organization nurtures new works and is not open to critics. David Thompson is working on book rewrites for the show that is a cult hit among theatre fans, and won Angela Lansbury a Tony Award for her peformance as a touched eccentric whose belief in idealism and romance topples corruption in Paris.

Goodspeed has indicated that the score will include three "new" songs previously unheard in the standard version of the show. Herman is very much involved in the production, according to a spokesperson.

Howes played Aunt Julia in The Dead, and also appeared on Broadway in My Fair Lady, succeeding Julie Andrews, Kwamina, What Makes Sammy Run?, and Brigadoon, for which she received a Tony nomination. She also appeared in A Little Night Music and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella with New York City Opera.

Tickets for Dear World are $29. Call (860) 873-8668 for information. -- By Kenneth Jones