THE DVD SHELF: Zero Mostel Shows Off "A Funny Thing" and the Razzle Dazzle of Fosse's "All That Jazz by Steven Suskin

This month's column looks at Zero Mostel in Richard Lester's motion picture version of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum;" the classy film adaptation of Terre…

Rude Laughfest at Playwrights Horizons by Steven Suskin

Robert O'Hara's Bootycandy is rude, raucous, vulgar and gloriously funny. It's a happy sign when established not-for-profits like Playwrights Horizons can offer such outspoken fare as mainst…

Christine Ebersole Gets Personal About Family and Politics in at 54 Below in Big Noise from Winnetka by Steven Suskin

Two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole, who has starred on Broadway in 42nd Street and Grey Gardens, opened her new solo show at 54 Below Sept. 8. Playbill.com was there.

ON THE RECORD: Audra's History-Making Lady Day, Rodgers' Rarely-Seen Androcles and Songs by Kern by Steven Suskin

In this week's column, we listen to Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, the 1967 Richard Rodgers television musical Androcles and the Lion and an album of forgotte…

ON THE RECORD: John Bucchino and David Campbell Get Personal in Moving New Album by Steven Suskin

This week's column visits the new CD "David Campbell Sings John Bucchino."

The Lithgow Lear by Steven Suskin

John Lithgow in the Shakespeare in the Park production of King Lear. Photo credit: Joan Marcus Put Daniel Sullivan (director...

THE DVD SHELF: The Essential Musicals of Jacques Demy and "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" by Steven Suskin

This week's column explores a collection of films by Jacques Demy and the classics "A Hard Day's Night" and "The Big Chill."

War Zone Fresco by Steven Suskin

New Yorkers have a rare chance, through August 10, to see a full-cast production of David Edgar's intriguing Pentecost.

Who's Getting Intimate? Cate Blanchett, Nellie McKay and John Lithgow Take to the Stage by Steven Suskin

In a monthly roundup of cabaret and nightlife, some of Broadway's biggest names opt for more intimate affairs.

OFF THE BOARDS: Cate Blanchett, Nellie McKay and John Lithgow Take to the Stage by Steven Suskin

In a monthly roundup of cabaret and nightlife, some of Broadway's biggest names opt for more intimate affairs.

ON THE RECORD: Sutton Foster, Joshua Henry and Colin Donnell "Let It Sing" in Broadway Recording of Violet by Steven Suskin

This week's column visits the recording of the Broadway production of Violet.

The Piano Lesson by Steven Suskin

On a Friday afternoon in Vienna in 1938, fourteen-year-old piano prodigy Lisa arrives on the trolley for her lesson to discover that Mahler Street has suddenly been renamed Meistersinger Str…

THE BOOK SHELF: Historical Peeks at the Group Theatre and Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Vocals for Beautiful, Gent's Guide and More by Steven Suskin

This month's column discusses Helen Krich Chinoy's new book about The Group Theatre; Jeffrey Sweet's 50th anniversary celebration of The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center; a book…

THE BOOK SHELF: Historical Peeks at the Group Theatre and Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Vocals for Beautiful, Gent's Guide and More by Steven Suskin

This month's column discusses Helen Krich Chinoy's new book about The Group Theatre; Jeffrey Sweet's 50th anniversary celebration of The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center; a book…

Remembering a Legend: The Essential Elaine Stritch on Disc by Steven Suskin

Elaine Stritch, the Broadway icon who defined theatrical life on and off stage, died July 17 at the age of 89. Playbill.com looks back at the irreplaceable veteran with our retrospective of …

Pump Boys and Dinettes Serves Up Delicious Evening at City Center by Steven Suskin

Encores! Off-Center concludes its 2014 season with Pump Boys and Dinettes, starring Hunter Foster and Katie Thompson.

Men in Big Wigs by Steven Suskin

Pageant -- the 1991 off-Broadway hit about a beauty contest, with the six contestants played by male actors in dresses and wigs -- was a clever, rowdy, dazzlingly funny and quirky musical. …

ON THE RECORD: Brian Stokes Mitchell, LaChanze and More Celebrate Ahrens and Flaherty in Starry Recording of Nice Fighting You by Steven Suskin

This week's column looks at Nice Fighting You, a celebration of work by award-winning composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. 

THE DVD SHELF: "Can't Help Lovin'" Show Boat on Film by Steven Suskin

This week's column continues visiting the 1936 version of the landmark musical Show Boat.

OFF THE BOARDS: Chuck Cooper, Lindsay Mendez, Lara Teeter and More Highlight the City's Cabaret Stages by Steven Suskin

In a monthly roundup of cabaret and nightlife, some of Broadway's biggest names opt for more intimate affairs.

ON THE SCENE: Randy Newman is a Sly Devil in Encores! One-Night-Only Faust by Steven Suskin

Encores! Off Center featured a one-night-only concert presentation of Randy Newman's Faust July 1 as part of its summer lineup. Playbill.com was there.

THE DVD SHELF: "Only Make Believe": Game-Changing Musical Show Boat On Film by Steven Suskin

This week's column visits the 1936 film adaptation of the landmark musical Show Boat.

Mary Rodgers by Steven Suskin

Encores! Off-Center Kicks Off Summer With Rousing tick, tick... BOOM! by Steven Suskin

Encores! Off-Center launched its 2014 season June 25 with Jonathan Larson's tick, tick... BOOM!, starring Tony winners Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo, as well as "Smash" st…

ON THE RECORD: From Beautiful to If/Then, How Do This Season's Broadway Cast Albums Hold Up? by Steven Suskin

This week's column visits the cast recordings of various productions from the 2013-14 Broadway season.

Which Songs From Annie and "A Mighty Wind" Did "Glee" Star Jane Lynch Perform at 54 Below? by Steven Suskin

Jane Lynch, known for her role as the hilarious and wicked villain Sue Sylvester on the hit TV show "Glee," took the stage at 54 Below for her solo cabaret debut. Playbill.com was …

Aisle View: Holler and (Hip) Hop by Steven Suskin

There was only moderate hollerin' from the audience at the Monday night preview of Holler If Ya Hear Me, the Tupac Shakur jukebox musical at the drastically altered Palace. We could hear the…

Aisle View: Ivy League Daughter Speaks Out by Steven Suskin

Nadine Malouf in The Who and the What, photo credit: Erin Baiano A 32-year-old writer, with no husband but a Harvard...

Aisle View: An Enchanted Much Ado by Steven Suskin

Much Ado About Nothing with Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater, under the direction of Jack O'Brien beneath the stars at the Delacorte in Central Park. What doesn't sound enchanting about that?

ON THE RECORD: "Hidden Treasures" Offers a Candy Box Assortment of Sheldon Harnick by Steven Suskin

This month's column visits "Sheldon Harnick: Hidden Treasures, 1949-2013," a collection of work by award-winning composer Sheldon Harnick.

Aisle View: It Takes a Village Bike by Steven Suskin

Staging the play is the always interesting Sam Gold, who has been known to work wonders when he has wonderful material -- but this is not the present case.