Goodman Theatre presents the tenth anniversary production of Crowns, re-imagined by Goodman artistic associate Regina Taylor, beginning June 30, prior to an official opening July 9, in Chicago.

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies, which officially opened Oct. 12 following previews from Oct. 4, has extended its limited engagement.

You might think of it as "the other" Follies this season. If the Kennedy Center's revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's musical about a showbiz reunion hadn't transferred to Broadway, the new production by Chicago Shakespeare Theater, opening Oct. 12 following previews from Oct. 4, might have been more present in our imaginations.

You might think of it as "the other" Follies this season. If the Kennedy Center's revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's musical about a showbiz reunion hadn't transferred to Broadway, the new production by Chicago Shakespeare Theater, starting Oct. 4, might have been more present in our imaginations.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2010.

DIVA TALK: More from BB, EP, SB plus Merman AND the Cabaret Convention

FOR THE RECORD:
BETTY BUCKLEY
It’s hard to pick a favorite Betty Buckley recording, but if pressed, I would have to choose her very first solo effort, which was simply titled “Betty Buckley.” Originally released on the Rizzoli Records label, the disc has just been reissued on Buckley’s own new label, KO Productions, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of this exciting work, which was recorded live in 1984 in front of a packed house at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Unique to this Buckley recording is the inclusion of several pieces the former Cats and Sunset Boulevard star wrote either entirely herself or with another composer. And, one of the highlights of the disc is a song entitled “Dark Blue-Eyed Blues,” which Buckley once said she created after the end of a difficult relationship. The song has a beautiful melodic line as well as touching and intriguing lyrics, and both her singing and interpretation are flawless. Other highlights include perhaps the finest rendition of Amanda McBroom’s “Ship in a Bottle”; a knockout, belty version of “Wind Beneath My Wings”; and Buckley’s original recording of “Meadowlark,” jam-packed with emotion and nuance. Buckley is in incredible voice on this recording, and the re-release boasts three previously unreleased tracks: two penned by the Tony-winning actress (“Eternal Fix” and “Tender Mercy”) and “Over You,” which Buckley delivered thrillingly in the film "Tender Mercies." Be sure to add this disc to your ever-growing BB collection.

Pork Pie, A Mythic Jazz Fable, first read a year ago at Denver Center Theatre Company's annual TheatreFest, gets a full world premiere staging May 17-June 16 at DCTC's Stage Theatre, with Broadway's Alton Fitzgerald White, Roger Robinson and Vivian Reed in the spotlight.

Playbill looks back at the actors, directors, choreographers, and other theatremakers who died in the past year.

Jerry Seinfeld, Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, Goldie Hawn, Nathan Lane, Tina Fey, Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Larry David, Chris Elliot, Kristen Johnston—The American Comedy Hall of Fame seemed to have convened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Aug. 17 for the opening of Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.

Jerry Seinfeld, Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, Goldie Hawn, Nathan Lane, Tina Fey, Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Larry David, Chris Elliot, Kristen Johnston—The American Comedy Hall of Fame seemed to have convened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Aug. 17 for the opening of Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.

Jeff McCarthy will lead a chorus line of Southern gentlemen to sing the praises of Christine Ebersole as Mame, beginning Oct. 20 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ.

News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.

News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.

News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.

News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.

Bat Boy, the darkly comic pop-and-rock-infused musical that earned a cult following at the Union Square Theatre in Manhattan, closes Dec. 2 due to anemic ticket sales.

The cast album for the well-reviewed comic-gothic-horror musical, Bat Boy, flaps into stores June 5 on the RCA Victor label.

News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.