According to a story in Associated Press, a new Broadway Series will commence in Charlotte, NC, in October. Already announced for roles are Rue McClanahan (TV's "The Golden Girls") to take a featured role in Oklahoma!, and Marla Maples, who'll star in The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. Jerry Herman's Mame will close the season in July 1998. According to an assistant at the Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte, where Oklahoma! will begin Oct. 14, the Series has been devised by a brand new company, Wilson & Vance Associates, who just inked their deal in mid-July. "They'll be renting the 3,500 seat Ovens space," said the assistant, "until they get the building across the street renovated into a dinner theatre. Tickets for the Series go on sale Aug. 4, although they don't have a box office number yet." As of Aug. 1, Playbill On-Line has not been able to reach Wilson & Vance Entertainment.

The series announcement comes as something of a surprise, since McClanahan is scheduled to appear with Milo O'Shea in Millions Of Miles Sept. 5 at Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, NY. (McClanahan was supposed to do Miles in June, but a bad back forced her to postpone the engagement.) The actress' last NY appearance was in in Off-Broadway's After-Play in 1995. The Emelin Theatre could not be reached at press time.

--By David Lefkowitz