Once you get past the framing device of a ghostly guide (Jonathan Pryce) bringing Cole Porter to an empty theater for a “This Is Your Life”-style stroll down memory lane, “De-Lovely” is a fairly straightforward biopic.

Once you get past the framing device of a ghostly guide (Jonathan Pryce) bringing Cole Porter to an empty theater for a ?This Is Your Life?-style stroll down memory lane, ?De-Lovely? is a fairly straightforward biopic.

In 1978, Mary Martin has her final Broadway opening night in Do You Turn Somersaults?

MTC, THE PLACE TO BE: Manhattan Theatre Club, the nonprofit resident Off-Broadway company that two years ago was bruised in a public relations nightmare over Terrence McNally's controversial Corpus Christi, is riding high as the hitmaker company of 2000. Both Charles Busch's The Tale of the Allergist's Wife and David Auburn's Proof started at MTC in 2000 and transferred to Broadway by fall, earning raves, and A Class Act, the intimate musical portrait of lyricist Ed Kleban, ended its run there Dec. 10 prior to a spring 2001 Broadway transfer. The U.S. premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential was embraced by critics and audiences and a commercial transfer was mulled, but a suitable theatre could not be found. Late in 2000, the troupe announced a plan with a developer to restore and take up residence at the dilapidated Biltmore Theatre, which would finally give MTC a home on Broadway. The multi-million dollar plan has some hurdles to jump, but an opening in the 2002-2003 season is planned.

Playbill.com offers a recap of the memorial service for stage star Julie Harris.

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Playbill.com offers a recap of the memorial service for stage star Julie Harris.

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