The Shows Must Go On! series concludes its first season with a rebroadcast of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

Daphne Rubin-Vega and Gizel Jiménez star in Quiara Alegría Hudes and Erin McKeown’s new musical about a mother-daughter bond.

Daphne Rubin-Vega and Gizel Jiménez star in Quiara Alegría Hudes and Erin McKeown’s new musical about a mother-daughter bond.

BETTY BUCKLEY
Hope you set your VCRs this morning, Friday, December 5, to catch Betty Buckley on NBC's "Today Show," where she was scheduled for an interview and a song from Triumph of Love. Speaking of Triumph, unanimous praise continues for Buckley's portrayal of Hesione in the new musical comedy at the Royale Theatre. In Liz Smith's column last Sunday, the gossip columnist had this to say about Ms. B: "[F. Murray Abraham] and the mightily gifted Betty Buckley are the anti-emotion, put-upon brother and sister who learn that though love isn't fair, it's better than no love at all. Betty Buckley, deservedly, has become a beloved Broadway icon and is never to be missed. Her presence and vocal velocity and dexterity are always a singular sensation. If you are smart, you won't miss this dazzling 'Triumph of Love.'" And, in the December 5 issue of Entertainment Weekly, writer Jess Cagle has this to say about BB in his article about current Broadway fare: ". . .[Triumph of Love] triumphs only when Betty Buckley--right now the finest voice on Broadway--gets to sing."

PATTI LuPONE
Raves also continue to pour in for Patti LuPone's performance in the new David Mamet play The Old Neighborhood at the Booth Theatre. In the Village Voice Michael Feingold writes, ". . .Patti LuPone, in contrast, cunningly masks the anger in "Jolly," covering it alternately with baby plaintiveness and chin-out defiance, till it explodes to shatter them both." Also, a reminder that La LuPone will be out of the show from January 6-14 (matinee) due to prior commitments (including an appearance on NBC-TV's "Frasier"). She will return to The Old Neighborhood for the evening performance on January 14.

Anne Rogers, who withdrew from the cast of Billy Elliot—The Musical because her role had been reduced, has been replaced as the Grandmother by Ann Emery.

The Equity production plays the U.S. and Canada.

The Winter Smoker, a semi-annual concert that spotlights new work by songwriters from The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, will be held Jan. 13 at 5:30 PM in the Workshop's New York office.