This WEEK AHEAD we have some last chances to see some great shows on the Main Stem…Stritch n’ Sondheim…and a new work from Tennessee Williams (20+ years in the making)
Friday, January 1
CLICK? What better way to nurse a New Year’s hangover than in a nice, dark theatre, eh?! Check out Playbill’s New Year’s Day performance schedule to see what shows are playing during the holiday.
Saturday, January 2 
GO? Has all this holiday family time left you thinking: “Wow, my family is really messed up”? Then head over to the Upright Citizens Brigade for Death By Roo Roo: Your F**ed Up Family. I guarantee you’ll leave the theatre saying: “Well, things could always be worse!” (Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 307 West 26th Street, near Eighth Avenue, info/tickets)
Sunday, January 3
BEFORE IT CLOSES? Several Broadway shows will close up shop this Sunday. They include:
? Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: This holiday tuner features the classic Berlin songs that cemented the 1954 movie by the same name into holiday cinema history. (Marquis Theatre, 1535 Broadway, For Playbill Club discount tickets click here)
? Shrek: Another movie-turned-musical, Shrek, will close its doors after a little over a year on the Great White Way. The show will head out on tour this summer starting in Chicago. (Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway)
? Superior Donuts: Tony Award winner, Tracy Letts’ touching yet funny story about a donut shop owner (played by genius chameleon, Michael McKean) and his young protégé (played by the very talented B’way newcomer, Jon Michael Hill) will end its limited run. (Music Box Theatre, 239 W 45th St, For Playbill Club discount tickets click here) 
Monday, January 4
GO? The week-long intensive “Making it on Broadway” brings out some big Broadway guns for its first seminar of the New Year (running from January 4-9). Gavin Creel, Laura Benanti, Kate Baldwin, Ana Gastayer, Alice Ripley and others have been added to the roster of guest instructors. (For further information on all sessions throughout the year click here)
Tuesday, January 5 
GO? Elaine Stritch will once again be singin’ the songs of Sondheim at the Carlyle starting this Tuesday. Stritch’s show, aptly titled Singin’ Sondheim…One Song At A Time will feature the songs of, ummm... Johnny Mercer? I kid, I kid! Of course, she’ll be taking on the legendary tunes of the incomparable Mr. Sondheim! (Through January 30, The Carlyle Hotel, 35 East 76th Street at Madison Avenue, $125, call 212-744-1600 for tickets)
Wednesday, January 6 
CAST CHANGE? The merry-go-round of stars in the hit Off-Broadway show, Love, Loss & What I Wore, changes guards once more with Michele Lee (Tale of the Allergist's Wife), Debra Monk (Curtains), Tracee Ellis Ross ("Girlfriends"), Casey Wilson ("Saturday Night Live") and Tony Award winner, Katie Finneran (returning), stepping up to fill the stools of past “Loves” of this show. Penned by the sisters Ephron, Nora and Delia. (This cast will perform through January 31st, Westside Theatre, 407 West 43 Street, the show will play through to March 2010, tickets/info)
Thursday, January 7
SEE? An unearthed treasure by the late Tennessee Williams finally sees the light of day. The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond features the Williams screenplay he wrote back in 1957, around the same time he wrote Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Suddenly, Last Summer. As it seems, frequent Williams collaborator, Elia Kazan, passed on making the film in the 80s, and it was all but forgotten...until now. Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Evans, Ann-Margret and Ellen Burstyn. (Currently playing in New York and Los Angeles, opens to the Top 10 markets on January 8, click here for further info)
