"The Singer's Diary," Reba McEntire [ tickets ]'s production that combines a play about the country superstar's life with a full-length concert, will play 27 cities in the first three months of 2000, according to her publicist. McEntire, who was recently named the top-selling female country music artist of the 20th century by the Recording Industry Association of America, opens the tour's next leg on Jan. 20.

While "The Singer's Diary" was booked into theaters and performing arts halls during its two-month North American run late last year, most of the tour's upcoming shows will take place in arenas. Tickets are now on sale in many markets, and additional on-sale dates have been scheduled throughout January. The bulk of the tour dates have been confirmed; others will be announced soon.

In an Associated Press report last year, Narvel Blackstock, McEntire's husband and manager, described the show as ''taking the best elements of a theater performance and a Broadway play to tell her own musical story.''

McEntire released her 26th album, "So Good Together" (MCA Nashville), in November. She closed out 1999 by taking "The Singer's Diary" tour to Australia for a five-week run.

On the upcoming tour, the charity U.S.A. Harvest will set up donation stations outside each venue to collect non-perishable food for local missions and hospices.