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Tony Award winner Harriet Harris will play Vera Charles in the Kennedy Center's upcoming production of Jerry Herman's Mame, starring Christine Baranski in the title role. The show, to be directed by Eric Schaefer, is scheduled to run May 27-July 2, 2006 and to open officially on June 1.

The production will co-star Emily Skinner as Agnes Gooch and Max von Essen as the adult Patrick Dennis. The creative team includes Warren Carlyle (choreography), Walt Spangler (sets), Gregg Barnes (costumes), and Dan Wagner (lighting). Based on the play Auntie Mame, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, Mame follows the whirlwind adventures of an unconventional woman and her nephew with a rogue's gallery of memorable characters. The musical opened on Broadway in 1966 and ran for more than 1,500 performances.

Harris, who received the 2002 Tony Award for Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie, most recently appeared on stage in the Cape Playhouse production of The Dining Room. In addition to her extensive theater work, she has gained renown for her television roles of Felicia Tilman on Desperate Housewives and Bebe Glazer on Fraser. Among her many film credits are Memento, Nurse Betty, and Addams Family Values.