Today's birthdays include Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Marc Shaiman, and Judy Blazer.

The Inside the Actors Studio host was also a writer and actor who ushered two musicals to Broadway.

In honor of Stephen Sondheim's 85th birthday, we look at the four different recordings of one of his most challenging and complex musicals: Follies.

Comedienne, actress and nightclub icon Julie Halston will take over the four roles played by Jackie Hoffman in the Broadway revival of On the Town starting March 12 while Hoffman recovers from a foot injury, according to a production spokesperson. Her start date was originally announced as March 10.

What was the Witch's big song before "The Last Midnight" was written? What happened to the Baker's Wife in the very first production? Learn how Into the Woods changed from its premiere performance on stage to the Disney motion picture.

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.

This week's column discusses the 2008 cast album of Gypsy, as well as the Masterworks Digital Jerry Herman Collection, including the first-time-on-CD appearance of Mary Martin in Hello, Dolly!

This week's column discusses the 2008 cast album of Gypsy, as well as the Masterworks Digital Jerry Herman Collection, including the first-time-on-CD appearance of Mary Martin in Hello, Dolly!

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!

If you tune in VH-1 next week, you'll see five shows dedicated to the "100 Greatest Artists of Rock 'n' Roll."

If you tune in VH-1 next week, you'll see five shows dedicated to the "100 Greatest Artists of Rock 'n' Roll."

Liza Minnelli did great business taking over for Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria in January. Whoopi Goldberg is having a personal triumph as Nathan Lane's successor in the revival of A Funny Thing..... Last week I saw Faith Prince, whose reputation has been built on her gift for comic brassiness, take on what was for her an utterly uncharacteristic role, that of Mrs. Anna , in the wonderful revival of The King and I that recently began its second year.

Liza Minnelli did great business taking over for Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria in January. Whoopi Goldberg is having a personal triumph as Nathan Lane's successor in the revival of A Funny Thing..... Last week I saw Faith Prince, whose reputation has been built on her gift for comic brassiness, take on what was for her an utterly uncharacteristic role, that of Mrs. Anna , in the wonderful revival of The King and I that recently began its second year.