As the curtain starts to descend on 1996 in a welter of A Christmas Carols, its time to journey back over the year with the Ghost of Theatre Past and look at some of the major events on stages around the world.

If this is the month for May flowers, here are three "Leading Men" who are having a bloomin’ good time: Manu Narayan (Bombay Dreams), Jack Donahue ("Strange Weather") and Chad Kimball (Baby).

If this is the month for May flowers, here are three "Leading Men" who are having a bloomin’ good time: Manu Narayan (Bombay Dreams), Jack Donahue ("Strange Weather") and Chad Kimball (Baby).

The 1999-2000 Tony Award for Best Original Score Written for the Theatre has gone to Elton John and Tim Rice for Aida.

Elton John (music), Tim Rice (lyrics), for Aida
This opera-inspired new musical about the Egyptian prince and the Nubian slave (who is really a princess) is from the knighted songwriters who were previously nominated for their score of The Lion King. The John-Rice score ranges from tribal chant ("The Gods Love Nubia") to romantic ballad ("Elaborate Lives") to a saucy 1970s-style rock 'n' roll number (recalling "Crocodile Rock") that becomes a fashion show for the princess Amneris ("My Strongest Suit"). Rice may be best known as Andrew Lloyd Webber's collaborator on Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Elton John (music), Tim Rice (lyrics), for Aida
This opera-inspired new musical about the Egyptian prince and the Nubian slave (who is really a princess) is from the knighted songwriters who were previously nominated for their score of The Lion King. The John-Rice score ranges from tribal chant ("The Gods Love Nubia") to romantic ballad ("Elaborate Lives") to a saucy 1970s-style rock 'n' roll number (recalling "Crocodile Rock") that becomes a fashion show for the princess Amneris ("My Strongest Suit"). Rice may be best known as Andrew Lloyd Webber's collaborator on Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Warner Brothers is seeking a director and star for its forthcoming film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. Lloyd Webber's spokesman has confirmed that Antonio Banderas (Che in the film of Evita) is the front-runner to play the Phantom, and Banderas has told film magazines that he's the man. But Warner Brothers says no contract has yet been signed.

Warner Brothers is seeking a director and star for its forthcoming film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. Lloyd Webber's spokesman has confirmed that Antonio Banderas (Che in the film of Evita) is the front-runner to play the Phantom, and Banderas has told film magazines that he's the man. But Warner Brothers says no contract has yet been signed.

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

Check out these titles on HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and more.

Over the next week, Playbill.com will feature stories focused on the talents of women in the theatre, curated by Features Editor Carey Purcell. We asked our readers to choose their favorite women in theatre.