Michael McElroy and Phylicia Rashad open Off-Broadway in Blue in 2001.

The New York premiere of the Joe Iconis musical, directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner, finds its cast.

As the Aug. 6 opening night of Hamilton draws closer, the list of song titles in the printed Playbill is becoming finalized. That's usual. What's unusual is the fact that the show has added a list of "references to...classics" of Broadway and hip-hop that are sampled or quoted in the show.

Playbill.com's weekly planner reminds you that it's your last chance with Bradley Cooper, Glenn Close and James Earl Jones… Broadway's golden boy Neil Patrick Harris goes West to take over the Oscars… Heidi Chronicles meets "Mad Men"… and Brooklyn hipsters invade Manhattan by way of musicals.

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.

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.

Pasadena Playhouse's production of Cole Porter's Can-Can and the Geffen Playhouse run of George Gershwin Alone were the big winners at the 2007 L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards.

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.

SARAH BRIGHTMAN
Former Phantom of the Opera star Sarah Brightman will release her latest album, “La Luna,” on Aug. 29. An Angel Records release, the CD will feature classical pieces from Handel and Beethoven as well as more recent tunes. The release coincides with Brightman’s concert tour, a worldwide expedition that begins in Brazil on Aug. 20. The following tours dates are from Brightman’s website, which can be found at sarah-brightman.com.

SARAH BRIGHTMAN
Former Phantom of the Opera star Sarah Brightman will release her latest album, “La Luna,” on Aug. 29. An Angel Records release, the CD will feature classical pieces from Handel and Beethoven as well as more recent tunes. The release coincides with Brightman’s concert tour, a worldwide expedition that begins in Brazil on Aug. 20. The following tours dates are from Brightman’s website, which can be found at sarah-brightman.com.

Hello, diva lovers! A lot of news and reviews this week plus a special bonus: Playbill editor Judy Samelson was able to attend the recent star studded Sondheim benefit in San Francisco, and her thoughts on the evening follow. Enjoy!

Hello, diva lovers! A lot of news and reviews this week plus a special bonus: Playbill editor Judy Samelson was able to attend the recent star studded Sondheim benefit in San Francisco, and her thoughts on the evening follow. Enjoy!

PATTI LuPONE
There are probably four, maybe five, artists whose recordings I eagerly await, and in that small but stellar group is the Tony and Olivier Award winning actress and singer Patti LuPone. From the moment I heard LuPone wrap her golden vocal chords around Andrew Lloyd Webber's score to Evita, I knew this was one of the unique voices of our time -- a voice with a huge belting range, capable of soaring to the rafters of any theatre as well as tugging at your heartstrings with softer, shaded tones. But what really separates LuPone from many singers is the actress that takes over when she interprets a lyric, whether it's a signature tune like "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" or "Meadowlark" or a gorgeous pairing of pop tunes like "Calling You" or "Get Here." So, it is a bit surprising that LuPone did not release a solo album until 1993, "Patti LuPone Live," a recording of her thrilling Los Angeles concert, which she repeated on Broadway to rave reviews. Fans (this one included) had to content themselves with her wonderful work on such show recordings as The Baker's Wife, Evita, Anything Goes, Les Miserables and Sunset Boulevard, which was released the same year as the aforementioned "Patti LuPone Live."

This week's column is an informal look-back at some of the great--and not so great--moments in Tony Award history:

New York City. Carnegie Hall. June 10, 1996. The night we had all been waiting for finally arrived, and if it's possible, the evening surpassed the expectations of the greatest Betty Buckley fans.

New York City. Carnegie Hall. June 10, 1996. The night we had all been waiting for finally arrived, and if it's possible, the evening surpassed the expectations of the greatest Betty Buckley fans.

A Nobel Prize-winning playwright. A major Broadway theatre owner and producer. A longtime New York City theatre critic. A sultry cabaret star who sexily purred songs into her eighties.