By Andrew Gans
28 Nov 2008

	Shrek stars Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster and Daniel Breaker
	photo by Aubrey Reuben

Question: How would you say the demands of this role compare to some of your previous Broadway outings?
Foster: It's surprisingly demanding. I wouldn't say it's as demanding as Millie, but it's somewhere in between Drowsy and Millie. What makes it harder is that Fiona goes on a real journey, but that's also what makes it so exciting.

Question: Is there talk of a cast recording?
Foster: Oh, definitely. I think the score is so fantastic. I can't wait to record it. I think that's definitely going to happen.

Question: You also have your first solo album coming out.
Foster: Yes! I'm literally just putting together the song order right now! I can't seem to settle. I'm sending out all these options, like, "What about this? What about this?" But it's being released in February. It's something I've been working on for awhile, and I'm just so proud of it. I can't wait to release it. It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time.

Question: What type of music is it?
Foster: It's definitely a Broadway album. I would say it's eclectic: a little vocal jazz and one original, a new song that's written by Jeff Blumenkrantz. We unearthed some old standards that are really special that I had never heard before. Michael Rafter, who I worked with on Millie, is my music director, and he did some beautiful arrangements. I'm really excited to share it.

Question: Who are some of the other composers that are on the CD?
Foster: Maury Yeston. There's a Duke Ellington song. "Sunshine On My Shoulder" by John Denver. Frank Loesser, Christine Lavin, Craig Carnelia's "Flight." I do it as a duet with Megan McGinnis. Patty Griffin, Noel Coward…

Question: Do you know the release date of the CD?
Foster: I'm actually doing a concert at Lincoln Center on Feb. 19, so it'll be that week.

Question: I know you're a big fan of Patti LuPone, and I was wondering if you've gotten to see her in Gypsy.
Foster: I have not! Isn't that horrible? I'm embarrassed. . . . I have to do it now, because I'm such a huge fan of hers. She's so lovely, and I still freak out that she knows my name and says, "Hi." Thank you for the reminder. My brain is so immersed in "Shrek Land," but that's definitely a priority on my list.

[Shrek The Musical plays the Broadway Theatre, located at Broadway and 53rd Street; for tickets call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com]

DIVA TIDBITS
Eden Espinosa, who is currently playing the green-faced, misunderstood Elphaba in the Los Angeles production of Wicked, will go it solo Monday nights beginning Dec. 15. Espinosa will perform in concert at the Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant Mondays, Dec. 15, 22 and 29, 2008, and Jan. 5, 2009. Show time each night is 9 PM. Eden Espinosa — Live will feature direction by Grease!'s Billy Porter and musical direction by Espinosa's former high school show choir director, Trennie Garza. Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant is located at 861 N. La Cienega Blvd. in West Hollywood, CA. For tickets, priced $15-$25, call (310) 652-5252 or visit www.uprightcabaret.com/events.

"Liza's at The Palace," a new two-CD set celebrating Liza Minnelli's upcoming return to Broadway's Palace Theatre, will arrive in stores Feb. 3, 2009, on the Hybrid Recordings label. Helmed by producer Phil Ramone, the recording will also be on sale during Minnelli's Broadway engagement, Liza's at the Palace . . .!, Dec. 3-28. The first CD (Act I) features Minnelli's signature hits, while the second disc (Act II) features a tribute to Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency, which is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary season, will kick off the New Year with Hollywood legend Tony Martin, who returns to the club following two sold-out engagements. Martin will perform at the New York nightspot Jan. 13-17, 2009. He will be followed by jazz singer Jane Monheit, who is scheduled for Jan. 20-Feb. 7, 2009. Tony Award winner Betty Buckley will return to Feinstein's with her critically acclaimed Broadway By Request program Feb. 10-March 7, 2009. The evening, directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, will feature Seth Rudetsky at the piano. Comedian Jackie Mason will debut his new show, Not on Broadway, March 10-21, 2009. And, husband-and-wife Broadway stars Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley will offer Opposite You March 24-April 4, 2009. Feinstein's at the Regency is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street. For ticket reservations call (212) 339-4095 or visit feinsteinsatloewsregency.com or TicketWeb.com.

The work of a host of up-and-coming composers and lyricists as well as several established writers will be on display Dec. 12 and 13 at the Lion Theatre at Theatre Row. The 8 PM concerts, presented by kef productions, are titled Artists Rising and will boast the songs of Brad Alexander, Janet Allard, David H. Bell, Rob Broadhurst, Nathan Christensen, Julianne Wick Davis, Carmel Dean, Jeremy Desmon, Ed Dixon, Kyle Ewalt, Vadim Feichtner, Kevin Fisher, Anna K. Jacobs, Rachel Jett, Steven Lutvak, Adam Mathias, Dianne Adams McDowell, Scott Murphy, Matte O'Brien, Mac Rogers, Todd Schroeder, Niko Tsakalakos, Matt Vinson, Michael Walker, Jordana Williams and Sean Williams. Among those who will be interpreting the work of these rising artists are Tracy Bersley, Justin Brill, Kristy Cates, Alexis Fishman, Demond Green, David Gurland, Simotra Houston, Rob Maitner, Carrie Manolakos, Michael Pesce, Niko Tsakalkos, Michael-August Turley, Sally Wilfert and Cassie Wooley. The evenings will be directed by Adam Fitzgerald with music direction by Michael Pesce. Eddie Rabon will host the concerts, which feature Matt Vinson at the piano. The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row is located in Manhattan at 410 West 42nd Street. Tickets, priced $18, are available by visiting www.ticketcentral.com or by calling (212) 279-4200.

And, finally, congratulations to two-time Tony Award-winning Gypsy star Patti LuPone, whose "Patti LuPone at Les Mouches" CD — a digitally restored recording of LuPone's 1980 club act — reached #25 on this week's Billboard Heatseekers Chart. This marks the first time in LuPone's award-winning career that one of her solo recordings has charted on Billboard. For more information visit www.sh-k-boom.com or www.ghostlightrecords.com.

Well, that's all for now. Happy diva-watching! E-mail questions or comments to agans@playbill.com.