Thompson's life is 'Cabaret'

Actress gets first major singing role

By PAMELA RENNER

NEW YORK -- Lea Thompson (NBC's "Caroline in the City") is moving from the national tour of "Cabaret" to the Broadway production, replacing Joely Fisher as Sally Bowles in the Roundabout's long-running tuner. Thompson has negotiated a four-month contract to begin Aug. 2.

Natasha Richardson played the role in the 1998 Broadway revival. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary McCormack, Susan Egan and Fisher have played it subsequently.

Thompson, who trained as a ballet dancer before turning to acting, nets her first major singing role in "Cabaret." Previously, she has been seen in productions of "The Illusion" at the Los Angeles Theater Center and "Bus Stop" at the Pasadena Playhouse.