Gifford Writes Book, Lyrics for Musical

NEW YORK (AP) _ Kathie Lee Gifford is going ``Under the Bridge.'' The former daytime talk-show host has written the book and lyrics to a new musical based on the children's book ``The Family

Friday, October 8th 2004, 11:21 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Kathie Lee Gifford is going ``Under the Bridge.'' The former daytime talk-show host has written the book and lyrics to a new musical based on the children's book ``The Family Under the Bridge'' by Natalie Savage Carlson.

The story follows a Parisian hobo who must give up his solitary, carefree life when he finds three children and their mother seeking shelter under the bridge he also calls home. It was a 1959 Newbery Honor Book.

Directed by Eric Schaeffer with music by David Pomeranz, ``Under the Bridge'' will open a 12-week off-Broadway run at the Zipper Theatre on Dec. 1. The official opening is set for Jan. 6. Ed Dixon will star as the hobo.

Gifford, 51, a former Carnival Cruise Lines spokeswomen, stepped away from her ``Live With Regis & Kathie Lee'' chair in 2000. In May, she released the gospel album ``Gentle Grace,'' filled with songs she co-wrote. She also wrote the musical ``Hurricane Aimee'' about evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson.