As he did at NJ's Paper Mill Playhouse, Gavin MacLeod, captain of TV's "Love Boat" (and Murray on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show") stars with Liliane Montevecchi in the stage adaptation of Lerner & Loewe's Gigi, opening Jan. 17 at Houston, TX's Theatre Under The Stars.

Known for her work in Broadway's Nine and Grand Hotel, Montevecchi also did a one-woman cabaret revue, Back On The Boulevard, at Off-Broadway's Kaufman Theatre. Also starring (as she did in NJ) is Anne Rogers, who appeared in Paper Mill's It Runs In The Family set in 1994. Paper Mill set designer Michael Anania repeats his duties here, though Gigi, played by Glory Crampton in NJ, is played by Linnea Dakin here. Alberto Stevans plays Gigi's wealthy suitor, Gaston.

Directing at TUTS is Bruce Lumpkin, with musical direction by Wayne Green. Ensemble cast members include Ruth Bates, Richard Carlson, Marybelle Chaney, Gregory Daniels, Tiffiny Dimiceli, Catherine Douglas, Paul Hope, Elias A. Kalantzis, Lizzie Lunine, Patricia Salvo, Denise Thorson, Susan Shofner and Pippa Winslow.

Based on a Colette novel, Gigi was adapted by Anita Loos for the stage and starred a young Audrey Hepburn. Leslie Caron starred in the 1956 London production and later played the lead in the 1958 MGM film, which interpolated songs by Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe. Songs in the film (and now show) include "Thank Heaven For Little Girls" and "I Remember It Well."

Previews begin Jan. 15 for a run through Feb. 1. For tickets and information call (800) 678-5440. -- By David Lefkowitz