Atlanta actress and singer Libby Whittemore

Atlanta actress and singer Libby Whittemore is spending her busy summer reuniting with some old chums.

First up: Whittemore will likely be the first fan in line Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at Blue Elephant Book Shop in Decatur when her old pal, Atlanta playwright Tom Edwards officially unveils his debut novel, “Blue Jesus” to readers.

The singer and the writer have been friends for decades and are forever linked through Edwards’ six rollicking “Della’s Diner” plays (Whittemore brought his iconic character, Connie Sue Day, the 31st Lady of Country Music, to life).

“I’m so thrilled for him,” Whittemore told us. “He’s written a ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ for the new millennium. If Oprah has a brain in her head, it’ll be one of her book selections!”

Whittemore is long familiar with the Southern-set novel. She first got a peek at the manuscript years ago when Edwards was soliciting feedback from close friends.

(To read the AJC’s profile on Edwards, click here).

Whittemore, the former owner of the late, lamented Libby’s Cabaret, is also re-teaming with pal and performer Lisa Paige for a set of  ”Summer Camp” shows at Actor’s Express, June 25-28. And yes, fans can expect Connie Sue and her tiara to drop by as well.

Whittemore’s gigs have become so popular at the downtown theatre, Actor’s Express has added a Libby’s Cabaret series to its entire 2009-2010 season with gigs also scheduled for December, February, April and June.

“I know for certain I’m working at least four times next year!,” cracks Whittemore. “We still have so many of the old Libby’s Cabaret regulars who come and we’re building a fresh audience with the Actor’s Express supporters. It’s all of the advantages of the old cabaret with none of the headaches of running the place.”

And finally, Whittemore is reuniting this summer with Sandra Bullock, her film co-star in “Force of Nature” and “Love Potion No. 9.” Whittemore has been cast as a surly school teacher in “The Blind Side,” that is currently shooting here with Bullock and Tim McGraw. The pair portray the real-life Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who adopted future football star Michael Oher.

“Sandy storms into the teacher’s lounge in our scene,” Whittemore previews. “I can call her Sandy since we’ve worked together so much, by the way. So Sandy comes in and she’s upset that she’s encountering resistance to her son getting enrolled in this nice private school and I give her one of my looks. I might even get a close up! I’m a [female canine], basically!”

So did Bullock remember the actress who keeps scoring small parts in her films?

“She’s always so incredibly nice,” Whittemore says. “She says she remembers me but I always call her out on it because I don’t believe her. But damn, if she didn’t remember [Whittemore's portrayal of a less-than-congenial airport car rental agent] from ‘Force of Nature!’ I’m certain that acting with me again will propel her to an Oscar.”