Jeff Blumenkranz

Scrolling through the nearly 900 musical theatre albums in my iTunes library, it's easy to confirm that Broadway seldom features banjo-led scores, although rare exceptions on and off-Broadway might include MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, THE SPITFIRE GRILL and THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM. And although Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's 2016 sleeper-hit musical BRIGHT STAR hardly lasted more than 100 performances, the charming musical lives on, sweeping audiences off their feet through its first national tour, currently onstage at Winspear Opera House.

The man whose name is on the door (and the wall behind the bar) had this directive to the theatre going public in anticipation of a performance by Jeff Blumenkrantz and Anne L. Nathan in Mr. Finn's Cabaret at Barrington Stage Co.

Like the young Anthony Hope in Stephen Sondheim's scintillating SWEENEY TODD, “I've sailed the world, beheld its wonders…,” with SWEENEY TODDs ranging from the original cast in New York, to an all-Japanese version in Tokyo, and have never failed to be thrilled by it. But there was something about hearing it with the New York Philharmonic, led by its music director, Alan Gilbert, that showed it in all its greatness.

The Theatre Museum Awards for Excellence were held Monday night, April 30, at The Players Club. Helen Guditis, President of The Theatre Museum, five time Tony winner Stewart F. Lane, Chairman of the Board of The Theatre Museum and 2011 Honoree for Distinguished Service to the Theatre, Bonnie Comley hosted a celebration to honor excellence in the theatre. See photos of the honorees and attendees below!

The Theatre Museum Awards will honor Stagedoor Manor with the Award for Excellence in Arts Education at its gala celebration, tonight, April 30, at 7:30 p.m at the Players Club.

The Theatre Museum Awards will honor Stagedoor Manor with the Award for Excellence in Arts Education at its gala celebration, Monday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m at the Players Club.

Since 1976, young artists have flocked to Stagedoor Manor to pursue their dreams of performing. And on Monday, April 30, 2012, some of the Manor's best and brightest will pay tribute to their alma mater as it receives the prestigious Theatre Arts Education Award at the 2012 Theatre Museum Awards Gala Celebration. See photos of this year's alumni participants below!

This week's Nightlife Awards ceremony at Town Hall was a plethora of the top talent the city has to offer