Musicals

Classical musical critic Lloyd Schwartz says the new CD, The Bernstein Songbook, avoids the composer's orchestral flops, instead featuring excerpts from his exuberant operas and musicals.

"Berlin" and "American Theater Songs" are now available on a single CD, featuring Weill's wife and collaborator Lotte Lenya. But some of the songs have been cut or edited for brevity. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz calls that decision "immoral," and says the original LPs are now more essential than ever.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new CD featuring French soprano Renée Doria. The selections were recorded between 1944 and 1970.

Singer Susannah McCorkle performs a tribute to composer Irving Berlin. McCorkle will perform tributes to Berlin each week at this time throughout the month.

Singer Susannah McCorkle performs a tribute to composer Irving Berlin. McCorkle will perform tributes to Berlin each week at this time throughout the month.

Orchestrator and composer Jonathan Tunick. Though best known for his orchestrations of Stephen Sondheim musicals like "Sweeney Todd" and "Into the Woods," Tunic is increasingly gaining recognition for his own compositions.

Critic-at-large Laurie Stone reviews the revival of Cole Porter's musical "Anything Goes," currently on stage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. The production stars Patti LuPone.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Hairspray," the latest film by director and writer John Waters. "Hairspray," a satire of the teen dance shows of the early 60s, follows a long line of wildly eccentric films like "Polyester," "Pink Flamingos," and "Female Trouble." The cast includes Divine, Debbie Harry, Pia Zadora and Sonny Bono.

The actor Divine. He's now starring in John Waters' new film "Hairspray." Divine is known for his roles as freaky, obese, gaudy women. He's become a pop star in Europe.

Part II of an interview with filmmaker and writer John Waters.

The first part of a two-part interview with filmmaker and writer John Waters. His new film - "Hairspray" - follows a long line of wildly eccentric films like "Polyester," "Pink Flamingos," and "Female Trouble." Like those films, the setting for "Hairspray" is Baltimore. The cast includes Divine, Debbie Harry, Pia Zadora and Sonny Bono.

Sound designer Martin Levan. He was responsible for the sound of Andrew Lloyd Weber musicals "Song and Dance," "Starlight Express" and now "Phantom of the Opera."

Critic Ken Tucker reviews a new home video release of the 1946 movie "The Harvey Girls." It stars Judy Garland and Ray Bolger and features dazzling musical numbers such as "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe."

Regina Resnick. After a forty-year career as an operatic mezzo-soprano, she is now making her debut on Broadway in the revival of the musical "Cabaret."

Television Critic David Bianculli reviews "The Singing Detective," the BBC miniseries that PBS will air in early January. The series was written by Dennis Potter, who wrote the 10-hour 1979 BBC series "Pennies From Heaven," starring Bob Hoskins.

Classical Music Critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two recordings of the Gershwin musicals "Of Thee I Sing" and "Let 'Em Eat Cake." They were both conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas earlier this year on the fiftieth anniversary of the composer's death.

Actor George Hearn, star of many Broadway hits, including "Follies," "Sweeney Todd" and "La Cage Aux Folles." He is now starring in a new theatrical production based on Chaim Potok's novel The Chosen. (INTERVIEW BY LIANE HANSEN)

Rock musician Marshall Crenshaw. Best known for the songs "Whenever You're on My Mind," "Someday, Someway" and "Mary Jean," Crenshaw's new album is titled "Mary Jean and 9 Others." Crenshaw played the part of Buddy Holly in the summer's hit movie "La Bamba."

Actor Elliot Gould, best known for his roles in the films "M*a*s*h," "Bob, Carol, Ted and Alice" and "The Long Goodbye."

Canadian writer Mordecai Richler, author of The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz and Joshua Then and Now, both of which were adapted into films.