The 1996 PlayMaker Award will go to Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress, Rosemary Harris. Given out by PlayMakers Repertory Company of Chapel Hill, NC, the black-tie ball will take place at the Carolina Inn Oct. 26.

After the award presentation, a gourmet dinner will be served in "six different, elegantly appointed salons" -- all with theme and room designs inspired by the music of Stephen Sondheim. (Sondheim's A Little Night Music will be the final production of PlayMakers' 1996-97 season.) Peter Duchin and his Orchestra will assume the musical duties for the evening, which serves as a significant source of income for the theatre company.

A Tony-winner for her performance in James Goldman's The Lion In Winter, Rosemary Harris received her seventh Tony nomination for her performance in the recent Broadway revival of Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance. Other Broadawy credits include An Inspector Calls, Pack Of Lies and Lost In Yonkers.

This is the 9th annual ball.

Previous winners include actor George Grizzard (1995), Tony-winning costume designer William Ivey Long (1994) and actress Faye Dunaway (1993). For tickets and information regarding the PlayMakers Ball, call (919) 962 2480.

-- By David Lefkowitz