NEA alum Alexander joins 'Cider'

Thesp grabs Nurse Edna role in Irving adaptation

By MONICA ROMAN

NEW YORK -- Jane Alexander has joined the cast of "The Cider House Rules," which Lasse Hallstrom is lensing for Miramax Films. She will play Nurse Edna in John Irving's screen adaptation of his bestselling novel.

Alexander, who served as National Endowment for the Arts chairman from 1993 to 1997, appeared this year on Broadway in "Honour." Other Broadway credits include "The Sisters Rosensweig" and "Shadowlands," and pics include her Oscar-nominated turns in "The Great White Hope," "All the President's Men" and "Kramer vs. Kramer."

The "Cider House" cast already includes Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Michael Caine, Delroy Lindo, and Paul Rudd.

Pic, which began filming Sept. 21 in New England, tells of a young man who leaves the orphanage where he was raised, only to learn that his future is inescapably connected with his past.

Film Colony's Richard Gladstein is producing while Miramax senior veepee of production Bobby Cohen is the exec in charge of production, reporting to Meryl Poster, co-president of production.

Cohen and senior veepee of business and legal affairs Cary Meadow negotiated the deal on behalf of Miramax. Alexander was represented by Emily Gerson Saines of the William Morris Agency.