A spokesperson for the Massachusetts theatre confirmed that McVey will play the evil Mrs. Meers in the North Shore production, which opens the theatre's 2005 season. Barry Ivan will direct the Jeanine Tesori-Dick Scanlan-Richard Morris musical that made a Broadway star out of Little Women's Sutton Foster. Millie will play April 26-May 15. The staging represents the first licensed, resident-produced production of the Tony-winning musical that has been seen on Broadway, in London and on tour. Additional casting is expected shortly.

Beth McVey has appeared on Broadway in productions of Beauty and the Beast, 42nd Street, Annie, Nine and The Phantom of the Opera. Her national tour credits include Copacabana, Guys and Dolls and Lend Me a Tenor. This will mark McVey's sixth appearance at the North Shore Music Theatre; she also starred in their productions of Nine, Mame, Anything Goes, Man of La Mancha and Sugar Babies.

The North Shore Music Theatre is located at 62 Dunham Road in Beverly, MA. For subscription pricing and information, log onto www.nsmt.org or call (978) 232-7200.