Playbill looks back at the actors, directors, choreographers, and other theatre legends who died in the past year.

A week in the life of actor, radio host, music director and writer Seth Rudetsky.

A week in the life of actor, radio host, music director and writer Seth Rudetsky.

In 2002, those we said goodbye to included a lyricist-librettist who infused musical comedy with touches of crazy impishness, a Nebraska-born actress who became known as a great interpreter of the classics in London and Broadway, and a veteran producer who embraced writers ranging from Euripides to Shakespeare to Terrence McNally.

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!

BETTY BUCKLEY
This past Sunday, Betty Buckley concluded her acclaimed run in the Hartford Stage Company's production of Tennessee Williams' Camino Real. The evening before, however, BB performed in concert for a gala at the Tilles Center on the campus of Long Island University. I thought you would enjoy reading some quotes from Steve Parks' glowing review in Monday's Newsday:

BETTY BUCKLEY
This past Sunday, Betty Buckley concluded her acclaimed run in the Hartford Stage Company's production of Tennessee Williams' Camino Real. The evening before, however, BB performed in concert for a gala at the Tilles Center on the campus of Long Island University. I thought you would enjoy reading some quotes from Steve Parks' glowing review in Monday's Newsday: