In 2000, the musical The Full Monty opens on Broadway.

In 1976, a revival of Guys and Dolls featuring an all-Black cast opens on Broadway.

Who are the powerhouse vocalists performing in this six-week-only special engagement?

Inside the opening night and after party with the stars and creative forces behind Roundabout’s “joy machine.” How do they think it went?

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.

The League of American Theatres and Producers have announced the first annual "National Broadway Theatre Awards" — informally nicknamed "The Star Awards" — which honor eligible Broadway touring shows. Unlike the Tonys (and, in fact, almost all other theatre awards), the NBTA winners are chosen by audience vote, rather than by critics and theatre insiders.

The League of American Theatres and Producers has announced that Sherie Rene Scott (“Amneris” in Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida) will co host the first National Broadway Theatre Awards (NBTA) along with Alan Cumming (Cabaret, Design for Living). The awards take place at the Supper Club in New York City on May 21.

The League of American Theatres and Producers confirms that it has named actor Alan Cumming (Cabaret, Design for Living) as host for the National Broadway Theatre Awards (NBTA). The awards will take place at the Supper Club in New York City on May 21.

High level meetings continue to take place between Actors’ Equity and the League of American Theatres and Producers over the “non-union” tours that may or may not remain eligible for the League’s new annual National Broadway Theatre Awards. While early meetings were conducted exclusively between Equity executive director Alan Eisenberg and League president Jed Bernstein, a select handful of Broadway Series producers have reportedly joined the discussions.

What is it that the Tony, Pulitzer, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, New York Drama Critics Circle, OBIE, Drama League and Lucille Lortel Awards don't do? For all their various rules and fiefdoms, none of these organizational awards recognize national touring shows.

A reader recently wrote in to request a regular "Where are they now?" feature, attempting to uncover the whereabouts of certain performers who have fallen off the map. While this would no doubt be intriguing, I imagine that such a feature might be difficult to maintain. Then too, I'm ultimately more interested in the careers that were than in learning that Joan Fagan is now a voice instructor in Oshkosh. But I do feel it's worth paying tribute from time to time to certain distinctive performers who made their mark but are now either rarely seen, retired, or forgotten. This week's column is devoted to a brace of zesty musical theatre women whose performances were memorable but who are in danger of being forgotten, at least by the generation too young to have ever seen them perform. These women weren't quite stars, so you won't find in this survey someone like Dolores Gray, who may no longer be performing much, but made too much of an impact in her day to ever be lost to history. We'll begin this survey with a woman who did make it to leading lady, although she's best remembered as a top supporting woman.

A reader recently wrote in to request a regular "Where are they now?" feature, attempting to uncover the whereabouts of certain performers who have fallen off the map. While this would no doubt be intriguing, I imagine that such a feature might be difficult to maintain. Then too, I'm ultimately more interested in the careers that were than in learning that Joan Fagan is now a voice instructor in Oshkosh. But I do feel it's worth paying tribute from time to time to certain distinctive performers who made their mark but are now either rarely seen, retired, or forgotten. This week's column is devoted to a brace of zesty musical theatre women whose performances were memorable but who are in danger of being forgotten, at least by the generation too young to have ever seen them perform. These women weren't quite stars, so you won't find in this survey someone like Dolores Gray, who may no longer be performing much, but made too much of an impact in her day to ever be lost to history. We'll begin this survey with a woman who did make it to leading lady, although she's best remembered as a top supporting woman.

From the Special Tony Playbill:

The two artists join voices on a medley of “I'll Be Seeing You” and “I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face.”

Alan Alda made a giant leap for mankind Dec. 14, graduating from Man — the first man, Adam — in 1966's The Apple Tree to The Voice of God, Who begins the revival of this sprightly Jerry Bock-Sheldon Harnick-Jerome Coopersmith musical at Roundabout's Studio 54.

Alan Alda made a giant leap for mankind Dec. 14, graduating from Man — the first man, Adam — in 1966's The Apple Tree to The Voice of God, Who begins the revival of this sprightly Jerry Bock-Sheldon Harnick-Jerome Coopersmith musical at Roundabout's Studio 54.

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.

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.