The return of Jennifer Holliday in “Dreamgirls,” the tour of the 2012 Tony nominee for best revival of a musical “Anything Goes” and the Southeastern premiere of “Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’” are highlights of the Theater of the Stars’ 2013-14 season announced Thursday.

Holliday’s encore in the role of Effie, the role she originated when “Dreamgirls” opened at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre in 1981, comes as something of a surprise.

“I am pretty sure that at 51, this will be my last performance as Effie,” the Atlantan told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last year, adding with a laugh, “I don’t want to turn into Norma Desmond!”

Holliday won the Tony for best actress in a musical on Broadway, and her version of “And I’m Telling You (I’m Not Going)!” made her a star. She last played the role in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre in 2007.

The season (all shows at the Fox Theatre):

  • July 9-14: "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story," the 25th anniversary tour.

  • July 23-28: "Cats," the musical warhorse, returns.
  • Aug. 2-11: "Dreamgirls," the trials and triumphs of an all-girl singing group from Chicago.
  • Aug. 20-25: "Anything Goes," the Roundabout Theatre Company production of the Cole Porter classic that charmed Broadway audiences.
  • Jan. 10-20, 2014: "Disney's 'The Little Mermaid,'" the 2008 Broadway musical based on the 1989 Disney film, still has legs.

Theater of the Stars also will offer a special presentation offered outside the subscription package, presenting “Stomp” at the Fox from Sept. 23 to 29.

Season tickets are on sale now: 404-252-8960, www.theaterofthestars.com.