Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart Returns in a Sizzling Production

 The ultimate casting coup of the season is the cast of the acclaimed, very limited run revival [through July 10, 2011] of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart. Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe have assembled pure magic onstage.

Sultry Blonde Nina Arianda Wasn't Born Yesterday

 Few theatrical performances the last couple of years generated the kind of buzz that accompanied Nina Arianda's performance in March 2010 as Vanda, the very extroverted but seemingly flighty actress arriving past late to audition as a dominatrix, in Classic Stage Company's acclaimed production of David Ives' Venus in Fur.

Donna Murphy: The People in her Pictures

Tony and Drama Desk Award winner Donna Murphy, not unexpectedly, is giving one of the most acclaimed performances of the season in Roundabout Theater Company's musical, The People in the Picture, by Iris Rainer Dart, Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.

Bosom Buddies: Danny Burstein & Christian Delcroix Reteam in Follies

Danny Burstein and Christian Delcroix were both in the brilliant Lincoln Center Theater revival of South Pacific. Danny, a New York theater stalwart who had been Tony Award nominated for his work in The Drowsy Chaperone, played Luther Billis and earned a second Tony nomination for his efforts. Christian, a fresh-faced kid who made his Broadway debut in South Pacific, started off in the ensemble and then was bumped up to the featured ensemble role of the Professor about 14 months into the show's two-and-a-half-year run.

Composer Josh Schmidt Keeps Adding

It was a 1992 production of Candide at the Skylight Opera Theater's former space that first caught Josh Schmidt's attention -- and set him on a career in theater. "I can point to that particular experience," recalls the Milwaukee, WI native, talking by phone from his home in Brooklyn, which he shares with his wife of five years. He's leaving the next day to sound design The Merry Wives of Windsor at Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Then it's off to the Alley Theatre in Houston to work on Pygmalion before heading back to his hometown of Milwaukee.

Michael Urie Celebrates Celebrities

With the cancellation of the beloved TV series, "Ugly Betty," Michael Urie is no longer employed to assume the colorful persona of Marc St. James, but that doesn't mean he's sitting at home and alphabetizing his spice rack. On the contrary, he earned praise when he stepped into the role of Prior Walter in the Signature Theater Company's acclaimed revival of Angels in America, then he immediately headed up to the Vineyard Playhouse on Martha's Vineyard to appear in their production of the Stephen Belber play, Tape.

The 2011 Phony Awards

The Phony Awards are usually given out before the Tonys, but I'm a little late this year because I wanted to wait for Spider-Man to officially open. (I strongly suspect it will be long gone by the time the 2012 awards season rolls around.) As in the past, I've retained some categories from previous years and have added new ones where I felt necessary.

So in Love with Patricia Morison

As Patricia Morison herself remarks, "I really had two careers, one in film and one in the theater. I was lucky."

Jonathan Tunick: The Sweetest Sounds

If you're reading this article, chances are you're well aware that Jonathan Tunick is the orchestrator of several all-time-great Broadway shows, including the lion's share of Stephen Sondheim's masterpieces as well as A Chorus Line and Promises, Promises.

Jeremy Jordan Makes Headlines

The phrase "up-and-comer" absolutely applies to Jeremy Jordan, in spades. The young actor has the leading role of Jack Kelly in the wildly anticipated stage adaptation of the Disney film, Newsies, premiering September 25, 2011 at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

Brunchtime: Meet Greet and Eat with the 2002 Tony Award Nominees

High atop Times Square, on the 49th floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, is The View, a restaurant, a portion of which usually revolves with tourists gaping in awe at Manhattan's wonders (and a bit later at the bill!). Yesterday (May 15, 2002), it was a good thing the revolve stage was in the off mode. The 2002 Tony Award nominees who gathered there to receive their silver-framed nomination citations were dizzy enough trying to run the gauntlet of multi-media reporters, lights and cameras.

The Best of Times is Now...for Jerry Herman

For years Jerry Herman has been the Broadway composer whipping boy -- those dumping on him forgetting the countless pleasures his Broadway musicals have brought and continue to bring to millions (probably including them). But Herman, remote and shy, never possessed a winning personality and is the interview from hell. Getting him to answer questions with something other than a Yes or No was like pulling teeth. Or should I say WAS.

Cats At 5,000: Now And Forever Takes On New Meaning

To quote T.S. Eliot: "Do I see with my eyes a man who's never seen a jellicle cat?" In New York, around the country, and in many foreign capitals, the answer is No! Because Broadway's longest-running musical and one of its premier tourist attractions opened to mixed reviews on October 7, 1982, its slogan, "Now and Forever," seemed a bit presumptuous. But thanks to massive publicity and strong word-of-mouth, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, based on T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats,"has exceeded its mythical nine lives.

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 updated May 2, 2017

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