In 1980, Richard Burton and Christine Ebersole star in a revival of Camelot.

Happy birthday, Chita Rivera.

Today's birthdays include Tarell Alvin McCraney, Arthur Miller, and Susan Stroman.

This month we chat with Dominic Chianese, best-known as Corrado Soprano, Jr., "Uncle Junior," in "The Sopranos," for which he's twice received nominations for an Emmy Award. Currently, he's starring Off-Broadway in Woody Allen's A Second Hand Memory at Atlantic Theater Company.

This month we chat with Dominic Chianese, best-known as Corrado Soprano, Jr., "Uncle Junior," in "The Sopranos," for which he's twice received nominations for an Emmy Award. Currently, he's starring Off-Broadway in Woody Allen's A Second Hand Memory at Atlantic Theater Company.

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:

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.

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.

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.

One of the more unfortunate aspects of theatre today is the enormous difficulty new writers of musicals have in establishing themselves. While there are endless readings and presentations of new work, few of them lead to full productions, and even fewer to New York mountings. When new writers ultimately find an off-Broadway production that brings them acclaim, it's no guarantee that they will go on to enjoy the kind of career that was once the rule following such a reception. Even when New York institutional productions of musicals by new talent open to considerable praise these days, it's often the case that those shows play out their limited runs but don't receive a local transfer, with hopes then pinned on subsequent regional pickups.

One of the more unfortunate aspects of theatre today is the enormous difficulty new writers of musicals have in establishing themselves. While there are endless readings and presentations of new work, few of them lead to full productions, and even fewer to New York mountings. When new writers ultimately find an off-Broadway production that brings them acclaim, it's no guarantee that they will go on to enjoy the kind of career that was once the rule following such a reception. Even when New York institutional productions of musicals by new talent open to considerable praise these days, it's often the case that those shows play out their limited runs but don't receive a local transfer, with hopes then pinned on subsequent regional pickups.

From the true events of Parade and The Scottsboro Boys to Founding Father accounts like Hamilton, can you name all of these Broadway shows based on true American events and historic figures?

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.

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.