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.

Hello, diva lovers! Well, I must admit it was a bit daunting to open a blank Word Perfect document this past Tuesday morning to attempt to write a millennium-based diva column while finishing our January subscription issue and starting our February theatre edition. At one point I decided I would just write a regular weekly column and not deal with the approaching 2000 mark, but then I thought I would simply list many of the women of the musical theatre/cabaret worlds who have brightened our lives throughout the past few decades. So, in alphabetical order, here they are. (I’m sure I’ve left out many of your favorites, so please excuse any omission!) Following this grand diva list are more detailed thoughts and musings about some (but not all) 25 of my very favorite gals (alphabetically, of course). I hope you enjoy reading this column, and may the New Year bring every diva lover out there much joy and happiness, and may it also be diva-filled!

Hello, diva lovers! Well, I must admit it was a bit daunting to open a blank Word Perfect document this past Tuesday morning to attempt to write a millennium-based diva column while finishing our January subscription issue and starting our February theatre edition. At one point I decided I would just write a regular weekly column and not deal with the approaching 2000 mark, but then I thought I would simply list many of the women of the musical theatre/cabaret worlds who have brightened our lives throughout the past few decades. So, in alphabetical order, here they are. (I’m sure I’ve left out many of your favorites, so please excuse any omission!) Following this grand diva list are more detailed thoughts and musings about some (but not all) 25 of my very favorite gals (alphabetically, of course). I hope you enjoy reading this column, and may the New Year bring every diva lover out there much joy and happiness, and may it also be diva-filled!

Lea Salonga, Norm Lewis, Betty Buckley, André De Shields, Chita Rivera, Kelli O'Hara, Shereen Pimentel, and more recall their most memorable love-filled theatre outings.

In anticipation of Roundabout Theatre Company's Dec. 3 Broadway reunion concert of the Tony Award-winning production of Assassins, Playbill revisits our exclusive look at the nine title characters — plus the fictional master of ceremonies — and the actors who portray them.

In anticipation of Roundabout Theatre Company's Dec. 3 Broadway reunion concert of the Tony Award-winning production of Assassins, Playbill revisits our exclusive look at the nine title characters — plus the fictional master of ceremonies — and the actors who portray them.

Playbill editorial staffers put together individual lists of productions we're especially looking forward to seeing this fall in New York City and London. What are you eagerly awaiting?

Playbill editorial staffers put together individual lists of productions we're especially looking forward to seeing this fall in New York City and London. What are you eagerly awaiting?

After the May 17 evening performance of Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera, Howard McGillin will turn his mask over to another actor — John Cudia — for two months.

BETTY BUCKLEY
Betty Buckley concludes her critically-acclaimed run in Gypsy this Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. She will then return to her favorite downtown haunt, The Bottom Line, for a weekend of Halloween performances beginning on Friday, October 30. BB has many special tricks-and-treats lined up for her fans: In addition to performing songs from the cult musical Carrie, Buckley will also welcome special guest star Varla Jean Merman, the drag personality who bills herself as the "illegitimate daughter of Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine." "Since I just finished playing Rose in Gypsy," Buckley explains, "the greatest role in her mother's distinguished career, I did think it was the least I could do to extend an invite to Varla to share the stage."

BETTY BUCKLEY
Betty Buckley concludes her critically-acclaimed run in Gypsy this Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. She will then return to her favorite downtown haunt, The Bottom Line, for a weekend of Halloween performances beginning on Friday, October 30. BB has many special tricks-and-treats lined up for her fans: In addition to performing songs from the cult musical Carrie, Buckley will also welcome special guest star Varla Jean Merman, the drag personality who bills herself as the "illegitimate daughter of Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine." "Since I just finished playing Rose in Gypsy," Buckley explains, "the greatest role in her mother's distinguished career, I did think it was the least I could do to extend an invite to Varla to share the stage."

Legally Blonde celebrates its 11th anniversary since opening on Broadway April 29, 2007. But where are the stars of the Tony-nominated Best Musical now?

Earl Carpenter, the West End star currently playing Javert in the Broadway revival of Les Miz, fills out Playbill.com's questionnaire of random facts, backstage trivia and pop-culture tidbits.

There's no shortage of exciting new musicals opening this spring on Broadway. But true lovers of theatre always want more. Playbill.com correspondent Ben Rimalower looks at the talented songwriters that have not graced the Great White Way recenly but he hopes will return soon with a new show.

Tony Award winner Betty Buckley, who recently played a sold-out, week-long engagement at Joe's Pub, has announced two concert dates for January 2015.

The La Jolla Playhouse has just released footage of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the stage musical adaptation based on the Disney animated film by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

The U.S. premiere of the musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, based on the animated Disney film, officially opened Nov. 9 and is now extended through Dec. 14 at La Jolla Playhouse.

The U.S. premiere of the musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, based on the animated Disney film, began performances Oct. 26 at La Jolla Playhouse.

The U.S. premiere of the musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, based on the animated Disney film, begins performances Oct. 26 at La Jolla Playhouse.