E. J. (Edra Jean) Helps Show Go On for Attic's Reopening

The show must go on - even if another performer takes over.

This is a variation of the familiar slogan as far as Tiffany's Attic is concerned.

In this case, the show is .is "Sunday in New York," which will reopen the Salt Lake dinner-theater tonight.

Sandra Deoe, known for her Tammy movies, had been scheduled to star in the well-known Broadway play. She came down with a viral infection last week in Los Angeles and was told by her doctor to rest up.

In Miss Dee's place, Tiffany's Attic hired E. J. Peaker, an energetic, tiny-featured young actress who was in the That's Life television series, in "Hello Dolly," with Barbra Streisand, and who has been in scores of recent television series.

"I performed in 'Sunday in New York' a few years ago," she said during rehearsals Monday. "I loved the play. That's one reason why I agreed to do it. Although I did it once. I had to brush up on the show."

She said Saturday, when she arrived in Salt Lake, that she would not go to bed that night until she had learned the first act.

True to her word, she stayed up all of Saturday night and by Monday had the script almost learned. She said she had taken over the lead in another show on a moment's notice several years ago and it was an invigorating experience. "I accepted this on short notice because it was a challenge," she declared.

Another reason she agreed to take the show on such short notice is that she has worked with the director, Pat Brown,. on several stage productions in Los Angeles. "She's a jewel and I jumped at the chance when I heard she was directing," Miss Peaker added.

E J (the initials stand for Edra Jean) has been in productions like "Bye. Bye. Birdie," on stage, and That's Life; Love, American Style, Rockford Files, Quincy and Barnaby Jones on television, and "The All-American Boy," with Jon Voight, and "Four Deuces" with Jack Palance in the movies. She also was in a Disneyland Showtime Special with the Osmonds at one time, and she did three musical specials produced by David Wolper.

Although she is a product of the West (she was educated at the University of New Mexico and her father worked in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico as a consulting geologist) E. J. Peaker has never been to Utah until now. "This was another reason I took the assignment," she said. "I wanted to see what Utah was like."

Besides Miss Peaker, "Sunday in New York" stars James Eric, a Los Angeles actor, and Utah actors Stanford Smith, Craig Clyde,. Norm Keefer and Marsha Anderson.

Although "Sunday In New York" is not a musical, Miss Peaker has considerable background in musicals and has agreed to present a short concert after some shows. She recently recorded an album which will be distributed soon.