In 1967, Michael Crawford, Lynn Redgrave, and Geraldine Page star in Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy.

In 1978, the late Nick Cordero is born in Hamilton, Canada.

Happy birthday, Donna Murphy!

A Broadway actor who memorably played Gen. Patton on film. A songwriter who made Oliver Twist sing. A director who boldly revived the Gershwin brothers on Broadway.

In the past few years, Lea DeLaria has moved from one critically acclaimed role to another, hitting the mark in three revivals: the Public Theater’s production of On the Town, for which she received an Obie Award as well as a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk nomination; the Encores! version of Li’l Abner in a role originally written for a man; and the current revival of The Rocky Horror Show at Circle in the Square, where she plays both Eddie and Dr. Scott. The often raucous stand-up-comic-turned-Broadway-star has just released her first solo CD, Play It Cool (now available on the Warner Bros. label), an extremely enjoyable collection of Broadway favorites with a jazz twist. I recently had the chance to chat with the talented performer, and this brief Q&A follows.

In the past few years, Lea DeLaria has moved from one critically acclaimed role to another, hitting the mark in three revivals: the Public Theater’s production of On the Town, for which she received an Obie Award as well as a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk nomination; the Encores! version of Li’l Abner in a role originally written for a man; and the current revival of The Rocky Horror Show at Circle in the Square, where she plays both Eddie and Dr. Scott. The often raucous stand-up-comic-turned-Broadway-star has just released her first solo CD, Play It Cool (now available on the Warner Bros. label), an extremely enjoyable collection of Broadway favorites with a jazz twist. I recently had the chance to chat with the talented performer, and this brief Q&A follows.

BETTY BUCKLEY
Our office received a copy of a new book by John M. Clum (Professor of English and Professor of the Practice of Drama at Duke University) titled, "Something for the Boys: Musical Theatre and Gay Culture," which explores the "world of divas and brassy overtures." On the back cover of the tome (St. Martin's Press) is a note from that grand diva, Betty Buckley, who writes: "Any diva's best-loved audience is the gay one -- the guys and gals who adore us most. John Clum's analysis of the long love affair between musicals and gay culture is a fascinating read. I especially recommend pp. 170-172. Thank you, John, with all my heart. Love, Betty Buckley." Clum writes at length about Buckley's spectacular performance as Mama Rose in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of Gypsy last summer. What follows are a few quotes from his section about Ms. B:

BETTY BUCKLEY
Our office received a copy of a new book by John M. Clum (Professor of English and Professor of the Practice of Drama at Duke University) titled, "Something for the Boys: Musical Theatre and Gay Culture," which explores the "world of divas and brassy overtures." On the back cover of the tome (St. Martin's Press) is a note from that grand diva, Betty Buckley, who writes: "Any diva's best-loved audience is the gay one -- the guys and gals who adore us most. John Clum's analysis of the long love affair between musicals and gay culture is a fascinating read. I especially recommend pp. 170-172. Thank you, John, with all my heart. Love, Betty Buckley." Clum writes at length about Buckley's spectacular performance as Mama Rose in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of Gypsy last summer. What follows are a few quotes from his section about Ms. B:

CD OF THE WEEK:
Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner's "Unsuspecting Hearts"
Okay, so for the past few weeks I've been anxiously awaiting a review copy of Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley's second duets album, "Unsuspecting Hearts." Yesterday, when it still hadn't arrived and I knew the recording was already in stores, I decided I'd go buy it at lunch time. And, just as I was about to leave the office, the UPS man arrived, and there it was! I've been listening to this beautiful work since then, and as much as I liked their first Varese Sarabande offering, "Duets," I think this disc is even more enjoyable. If the first overmixed the voices a bit, this recording allows each singing actress to display her unique vocal talents, and reminds the listener how well their voices and styles complement each other, first displayed in the much-too-short-lived Broadway musical Side Show.

CD OF THE WEEK:
Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner's "Unsuspecting Hearts"
Okay, so for the past few weeks I've been anxiously awaiting a review copy of Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley's second duets album, "Unsuspecting Hearts." Yesterday, when it still hadn't arrived and I knew the recording was already in stores, I decided I'd go buy it at lunch time. And, just as I was about to leave the office, the UPS man arrived, and there it was! I've been listening to this beautiful work since then, and as much as I liked their first Varèse Sarabande offering, "Duets," I think this disc is even more enjoyable. If the first overmixed the voices a bit, this recording allows each singing actress to display her unique vocal talents, and reminds the listener how well their voices and styles complement each other, first displayed in the much-too-short-lived Broadway musical Side Show.

In 1973, Times Square gets a new landmark as the first TKTS booth opens.

Hello, diva lovers! Well, the most exciting news of the week has to be that the long-awaited Gypsy starring Bernadette Peters has finally set its Broadway dates. Although the theatre has yet to be announced, the Sam Mendes-directed production of the Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents musical will begin previews on March 24, 2003. The official Broadway opening will happen exactly one month later on April 24. There's still no word yet on Peters' co-stars, although Tammy Blanchard — who starred as the young Judy Garland in the recent TV film "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows" — remains a strong possibility for the title role. I can hardly wait to hear Peters belt out that score! And, for those of you who can't wait until March to see Peters, you can catch the two-time Tony Award winner this Wednesday, Aug. 14, when she co-hosts "Live with Regis and Kelly" on ABC-TV. Peters will fill in for a vacationing Kelly Ripa; unfortunately, the former Song & Dance star is not scheduled to sing, but a non-singing BP is better than no BP at all, so be sure to set those VCRs!

In 2015, Helen Mirren stars on Broadway in The Audience.

In 2009, Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig star in A Steady Rain on Broadway.

In 2020, Broadway shuts down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In 1993, Martin Short and Bernadette Peters star in the musical The Goodbye Girl.

The summer is heating up as more Broadway shows make plans for the 2016-2017 season.