Directed by Josie Rourke and starring Anne-Marie Duff, the classic musical officially opens April 17.

The London staging, which also stars Arthur Darvill, will mark director Josie Rourke’s final production as Donmar Warehouse’s artistic director.

The London staging will mark Rourke’s final production as Donmar Warehouse’s artistic director.

For his whole life, Michael Riedel (the famed theatre columnist for the New York Post, known for his snide remarks, quick quips and unsurpassable scoops) never had to write more than 1,200 words. That was until he landed a book deal about the backend of Broadway. In an in-depth interview with Playbill.com, he talks about the book and becoming the man everyone loves to hate.

This week’s column discusses Michael John LaChiusa’s See What I Wanna See and Debbie Gravitte’s solo album, "Debbie Gravitte: Defying Gravity."

This week’s column discusses Michael John LaChiusa’s See What I Wanna See and Debbie Gravitte’s solo album, "Debbie Gravitte: Defying Gravity."

SPOTLIGHT: MIMI HINES
You may know her best as Mrs. Latimer on NBC's "Frasier," but Mimi Hines first burst onto the scene in 1958 when she and her partner, Phil Ford, performed on Jack Paar's "The Tonight Show." Hines possesses one of the more thrilling voices in the business, and her performance of "Till There Was You" on that 1958 telecast caused a sensation. After headlining in all the top clubs around the country, Hines conquered Broadway, when she replaced Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl and kept the show running for 18 months.

SPOTLIGHT: MIMI HINES
You may know her best as Mrs. Latimer on NBC's "Frasier," but Mimi Hines first burst onto the scene in 1958 when she and her partner, Phil Ford, performed on Jack Paar's "The Tonight Show." Hines possesses one of the more thrilling voices in the business, and her performance of "Till There Was You" on that 1958 telecast caused a sensation. After headlining in all the top clubs around the country, Hines conquered Broadway, when she replaced Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl and kept the show running for 18 months.

As 2006 dawns following a year's worth of grim reports about deaths from war, natural disasters and terrorism, those of us who cling to the theatre as a life raft to help us navigate the stormy world can't help but think of those from our own community who left us in 2005.