The Mark Twain Tonight! creator was known for his wide-ranging work on stage and screen.

Tony winners Betty Buckley, André De Shields, Rita Moreno, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, Leslie Uggams, and more express their gratitude.

The performer (and on-screen mayor) appeared on Broadway in The Cemetery Club, The Apple Doesn’t Fall…, and more.

A discussion of Melissa Errico's "Sadie Thompson" and Brent Barrett's "Alan Jay Lerner Album."

A discussion of Melissa Errico's "Sadie Thompson" and Brent Barrett's "The Alan Jay Lerner Album."

Hello, diva lovers. Because of a few special projects I’m working on, “Diva Talk” will run every other Friday through the Tony Awards. Now, to the divas . . .

Hello, diva lovers. Because of a few special projects I’m working on, “Diva Talk” will run every other Friday through the Tony Awards. Now, to the divas . . .

Quentin Crisp, the gay icon, writer and performer, died Nov. 21 in Manchester, England, prior to scheduled appearances in his one-man show, An Evening With Quentin Crisp.

PATTI LuPONE
There are probably four, maybe five, artists whose recordings I eagerly await, and in that small but stellar group is the Tony and Olivier Award winning actress and singer Patti LuPone. From the moment I heard LuPone wrap her golden vocal chords around Andrew Lloyd Webber's score to Evita, I knew this was one of the unique voices of our time -- a voice with a huge belting range, capable of soaring to the rafters of any theatre as well as tugging at your heartstrings with softer, shaded tones. But what really separates LuPone from many singers is the actress that takes over when she interprets a lyric, whether it's a signature tune like "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" or "Meadowlark" or a gorgeous pairing of pop tunes like "Calling You" or "Get Here." So, it is a bit surprising that LuPone did not release a solo album until 1993, "Patti LuPone Live," a recording of her thrilling Los Angeles concert, which she repeated on Broadway to rave reviews. Fans (this one included) had to content themselves with her wonderful work on such show recordings as The Baker's Wife, Evita, Anything Goes, Les Miserables and Sunset Boulevard, which was released the same year as the aforementioned "Patti LuPone Live."

PATTI LuPONE
There are probably four, maybe five, artists whose recordings I eagerly await, and in that small but stellar group is the Tony and Olivier Award winning actress and singer Patti LuPone. From the moment I heard LuPone wrap her golden vocal chords around Andrew Lloyd Webber's score to Evita, I knew this was one of the unique voices of our time -- a voice with a huge belting range, capable of soaring to the rafters of any theatre as well as tugging at your heartstrings with softer, shaded tones. But what really separates LuPone from many singers is the actress that takes over when she interprets a lyric, whether it's a signature tune like "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" or "Meadowlark" or a gorgeous pairing of pop tunes like "Calling You" or "Get Here." So, it is a bit surprising that LuPone did not release a solo album until 1993, "Patti LuPone Live," a recording of her thrilling Los Angeles concert, which she repeated on Broadway to rave reviews. Fans (this one included) had to content themselves with her wonderful work on such show recordings as The Baker's Wife, Evita, Anything Goes, Les Misérables and Sunset Boulevard, which was released the same year as the aforementioned "Patti LuPone Live."

The 1998 Tony Awards have now been handed out. Most things went as predicted, but there were, as always, a few major surprises. We asked readers to share their feelings about particular categories, or about the awards as a whole.

For his March 25, 1998 STAGESTRUCK column, Peter Filichia announced his choices for the 100 top Broadway musical performers of all time. Playbill On-Line invited readers to suggest names that they would have added to the list -- and names they would have left off the list.

Once again, hello and thank you to all creative advice-seekers. This week's column looks at the frustration of a very young actor, explores when Equity cards might not be useful, and provides some useful information for African American actors. I invite actors of all ages to continue to write me with any problems encountered at auditions, in class, or anything you feel could be standing between you and your talent. Make sure to check the previous columns to see if your question, or one like it, has been answered already!

Here are more reactions to the 1997 Tony Awards. Playbill On-Line thanks all of those who took the time to write.

Cy Coleman, composer of Sweet Charity, The Will Rogers Follies, City of Angels, Barnum and many other musicals is returning to Broadway with his latest project, The Life, currently in previews for an April 26 opening.