Suzanne Somers, best known for her role as the ditzy Chrissy Snow on TV's "Three's Company," is planning to tour a one-woman musical of her life in 2003.

Somers, an actress, singer and best-selling author, will star in The Blonde in the Thunderbird, which will begin touring performing arts centers in the United States and Canada in 2003. Written by Emmy Award winners Mitzie and Ken Welch, Somers' show will include original songs created for the production as well as film and video clips, stills, sound effects and voiceovers.

In a recent statement, Somers explained, "I never planned to write my autobiographies, "Keeping Secrets" or "After the Fall," they just seemed to fall out of me in spite of myself. I have a deep need to understand why I am the way I am, and have spent a substantial part of my life doing the work, to undo the damage done to me as a child. I never wanted to be a victim or to assign blame; I just wanted to fix what had been broken. That has been my journey and a joyous one at that. Every life is unique and has a story. This is my story, the good, the bad, the ups, the downs, the stupid choices, the fun, the growth, the perspective and an understanding that every life event has a purpose to propel you forward as a person if you choose to learn and grow."

The Welches — who have written-composed-produced TV specials for Barbra Streisand, Cher and Barry Manilow — add, "We've known Suzanne for years, and to be able to work with her on this project is both exciting and rewarding. This show is unlike anything we've ever done before, in part because of Suzanne's openness about her personal life. People will be surprised at the versatility of her performance as she portrays a variety of characters and moods."

Suzanne Somers' feature-film debut was as a mysterious blonde driving a white Thunderbird in 1973's "American Graffiti." Since then, her screen credits include "Three's Company," "Step By Step," "She's the Sheriff," "No Laughing Matter," "Devil's Food" and "Candid Camera." Also a best-selling author, her books include "Suzanne Somers' Fast & Easy," "Suzanne Somers' Eat, Cheat, and Melt the Fat Away," "Suzanne Somers' Eat Great, Lose Weight," "Suzanne Somers' Get Skinny on Fabulous Food," "Keeping Secrets" and "Touch Me." The actress lives in L.A. with husband Alan Hamel. — By Andrew Gans