'Project' gets workshopped

'Purple' people prep 'Princess'

By FRANK RIZZO

A new musical from the creative team for "The Color Purple" will receive a staged reading at Goodspeed Musicals' Norma Terris Theater in Chester, Conn.

"Caraboo, Princess of Javasu," with a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman (" 'night, Mother"), will be directed by Gary Griffin. The pair had the same duties on Gotham's "Purple."

The show, with music by Jenny Giering and lyrics by Beth Blatt, is based on the true story of a 19th century girl who transforms herself from British maid to exotic princess. (Saga also formed the basis of 1994 pic "Princess Caraboo.") Readings are May 19-21 and 26-28.

Compilation pro Richard Maltby ("Ain't Misbehavin'," "Fosse," "Ring of Fire") will stage a workshop production of "The '60s Project," conceived by Janet Brenner and written by Brenner and Ken Levine. Show, which tells the story of the '60s generation through the songs of the era, runs Aug. 10-Sept. 3.

"Meet John Doe," with a book by Andrew Gerle and Eddie Sugarman and additional story by Matt August, gets a workshop Nov. 9-Dec. 3. Signature Theater's Eric Schaeffer directs the tale of a Depression-era reporter who pumps new life into a dying newspaper through a hoax. The 1941 Frank Capra film centered on a false goodwill drive benefiting a corrupt politician.