David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish — who alternate in the title role of Billy Elliot—The Musical — fill out Playbill.com's questionnaire with random facts, backstage trivia and pop culture tidbits.

David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish — who alternate in the title role of Billy Elliot—The Musical — fill out Playbill.com's questionnaire with random facts, backstage trivia and pop culture tidbits.

Hello, diva lovers. I'd like to dedicate today's column to one of the most gifted comedic actresses of her time, Madeline Kahn, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer last week. Kahn, who received a Tony Award for her riotous portrayal of Dr. Gorgeous Teitelbaum in Wendy Wasserstein's The Sisters Rosensweig, was equally at home on the stage or on screen, earning Tony nominations for her work in In the Boom Boom Room, On the Twentieth Century and Born Yesterday while meriting Academy Award nominations for such screen roles as "Blazing Saddles" and "Paper Moon." Though difficult to choose from her eclectic array of characters, I think my favorite Kahn performance was in the aforementioned "Paper Moon" as the good-bone-structured Trixie Delight, opposite the father-and-daughter team of Ryan and Tatum O'Neill. The operatically-trained performer had the ability to make you laugh with a simple inflection of the voice, and she could also move you in both song and the spoken word. This unique, multi-talented actress will be much missed. In lieu of flowers, Kahn's family asks that donations be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (One Penn Plaza, Suite 1610, New York, NY 10001).

Hello, diva lovers. I'd like to dedicate today's column to one of the most gifted comedic actresses of her time, Madeline Kahn, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer last week. Kahn, who received a Tony Award for her riotous portrayal of Dr. Gorgeous Teitelbaum in Wendy Wasserstein's The Sisters Rosensweig, was equally at home on the stage or on screen, earning Tony nominations for her work in In the Boom Boom Room, On the Twentieth Century and Born Yesterday while meriting Academy Award nominations for such screen roles as "Blazing Saddles" and "Paper Moon." Though difficult to choose from her eclectic array of characters, I think my favorite Kahn performance was in the aforementioned "Paper Moon" as the good-bone-structured Trixie Delight, opposite the father-and-daughter team of Ryan and Tatum O'Neill. The operatically-trained performer had the ability to make you laugh with a simple inflection of the voice, and she could also move you in both song and the spoken word. This unique, multi-talented actress will be much missed. In lieu of flowers, Kahn's family asks that donations be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (One Penn Plaza, Suite 1610, New York, NY 10001).

CBS has announced its upcoming season's new shows, according to Deadline. The slate will feature a host of acclaimed Broadway stars, including Marcia Gay Harden, Dianne Wiest, Thomas Sadoski, Gary Sinise, Jane Lynch and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.

Broadway go-to vocal coach and teacher Liz Caplan was among the first industry professionals to take part in Playbill.com's Booking It! feature, which offers in-depth insights, need-to-know tips and essential tricks of the trade. Want to rock like Neil Patrick Harris in Hedwig or discover the magic behind the voice of Aladdin's James Monroe Iglehart? Read our interview with Caplan below.

Broadway go-to vocal coach and teacher Liz Caplan was among the first industry professionals to take part in Playbill.com's Booking It! feature, which offers in-depth insights, need-to-know tips and essential tricks of the trade. Want to rock like Neil Patrick Harris in Hedwig or discover the magic behind the voice of Aladdin's James Monroe Iglehart? Read our interview with Caplan below.

Leading industry members share professional insights, need-to-know tips and essential tricks of the trade for up-and-coming and established theatre artists. This week we speak with Liz Caplan, the veteran vocal coach and teacher who has guided her students to Tony Award-winning success.

Playbill.com's new feature series Booking It asks leading industry members to share professional insights, need-to-know tips and essential tricks of the trade for up-and-coming and established theatre artists. This week we speak with Liz Caplan, the veteran vocal coach and teacher who has guided her students to Tony Award-winning success.