By Andrew Gans
25 Jan 2008

	Kerry Butler, with Curtis Holbrook and André Ward, in Xanadu
	photo by Paul Kolnik

Kerry Butler, who is currently starring in Broadway's Xanadu while recording her first solo CD (she also has a recurring role on TV's "Lipstick Jungle"):
(1) Mickey in Blood Brothers. That was my first Broadway show, and I actually would like to play every part in it! The characters age 20 years throughout the show, so that is fun, and it is almost like a play with music. I love that show!
(2) "Soliloquy" from Carousel, again another great dramatic song.

Len Cariou, who is currently directing Glengarry Glen Ross for the Manitoba Theatre Centre's 50th anniversary:
(1) Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals.
(2) "The Man I Love."

Sandy Duncan, who will be seen later this season in the City Center Encores! production of No, No, Nanette:
(1) Any leading man in a Rodgers and Hammerstein show because they are all flawed, but with enormous strength, vulnerability, sensitivity and sex appeal. What's not to like about that whether you are male or female? Besides, everyone in the cast and audience gets a crush on you. I have done nearly all them and I know this to be true.
(2) Billy Bigelow's "Soliloquy" from Carousel.

Neil Patrick Harris, star of TV's "How I Met Your Mother" and Broadway's Assassins and Cabaret:
(1) Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd. Funny, loopy, yet dark. Good theatre roles should incorporate darkness...
(2) Wow. Maybe "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" from Dreamgirls. I remember being hypnotized by Jennifer Holiday's gaping, vibrato-laden maw when she performed at the Tony's. It's an image that has seared into my mind. Probably the most ferocious song ever.

Lainie Kazan, who will join Rene Taylor and Joe Bologna in a production of their comedy Bermuda Avenue Triangle this April at the Kravis Center in Palm Beach, FL:
(1) Tevye in Fiddler of the Roof. It's an extraordinary role with pathos, humor, humanity and wonderful music.
(2) "Soliloquy" from Carousel.

Jose Llana, whose current projects include Cara Reichel and Peter Mills' Honor, a musical adaptation of As You Like It for the Prospect Theater Company, and a reading for a new musical at New Dramatists, The Listener:
(1) Kim in Miss Saigon. Every Filipino kid growing up who wanted to do theatre worshipped this show. And I could always call Lea for pointers.
(2) "Green Finch and Linnet Bird." "Not Getting Married Today." Anything Sondheim wrote.

The American Airlines Theatre is located in Manhattan at 227 West 42nd Street. Only $250 orchestra seats remain; they are on sale through theatermania.com. (For $1,500 and $5,000 tickets — includes preferred seating, after party and membership in the Center's Leadership and President's Circle — e-mail Jeffrey Klein at jklein@gaycenter.org.)

For more information visit www.gaycenter.org.

	Kelli O'Hara

DIVA TIDBITS
Kelli O'Hara, who will return to the Broadway stage later this season in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of South Pacific, will release her debut solo recording in May. On May 6 O'Hara's "Wonder in the World" is scheduled to arrive in stores on the Ghostlight Records label. The recording features music arranged and orchestrated by O'Hara's Pajama Game co-star, Harry Connick, Jr. Connick also accompanies O'Hara on piano on 12 of the recording's 14 tracks. The recording features covers of Billy Joel and James Taylor tunes as well as original songs and tunes from the Great American Songbook; among the titles are "The Sun Went Out," "Wonder in the World" (a duet with Connick, Jr., who penned the tune), "And So It Goes," "Here Now," "All the Way," "And I Love You So," "Spooky" and "Fire and Rain."

Tony Award winner Idina Menzel, last on Broadway in Wicked, will celebrate the release of her new solo recording with a performance at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square. Menzel will take part in a performance and CD signing at the Manhattan music store Jan. 29 at 6:30 PM. Those who purchase Menzel's "I Stand" — beginning at 9 AM on Jan. 29 — will receive a wristband to attend the performance/signing. "I Stand" is scheduled to arrive in stores around the country Jan. 29. Menzel will also make an appearance on NBC's "Today Show" that same morning. The Virgin Megastore is located in Manhattan at 1540 Broadway; for more information visit www.idinamenzel.com.

Natalie Joy Johnson, who currently stars in Legally Blonde at the Palace Theatre, will debut a new club act at Therapy next month. Johnson is scheduled to play the Manhattan nightspot Feb. 25 at 9 PM and March 4 and 13 at 11 PM. Her new show features special material penned by John Hill, musical direction by Brian Nash and direction by Joy's Ben Rimalower. There is no cover charge or minimum for Johnson's concert. Therapy is located in Manhattan at 348 West 52nd Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. For more information visit www.therapy-nyc.com or call (212) 397-1700.

Tammy Faye Sings is the title of a Feb. 18 concert at the Metropolitan Room, which will feature songs from the musical Big Tent, which is tagged "The Tammy Faye Bakker Musical." The 9:30 PM concert at the Manhattan nightspot will feature the talents of Wicked's Stephanie J. Block and Jersey Boys' Sebastian Arcelus as well as Leah Hocking, Jim Stanek, DB Bonds, Kate Rockwell, Jenny Hill, Natalie Douglas, Quiana Parler, Linda Balgord, Jodie Langel, Eric Briarley, Casey Clark, Ryan Driscoll and Hedi Weyhmueller. Jeffery Self, who penned the book for the Tammy Faye musical, will host the evening. The band will feature Big Tent composers Ben Cohn and Sean McDaniel on, respectively, piano and drums with Ric Molina on guitar and Dave Kuhn on bass. The Metropolitan Room is located in Manhattan at 34 West 22nd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. There is a $15 cover charge and a two-drink minimum; call (212) 206-0440 for reservations or visit metropolitanroom.com. For more information visit myspace.com/tammymusical.

And, finally, congratulations to Doris Eaton Travis, the audience favorite at the annual BC/EFA Easter Bonnet Competition, who was the Grand Marshal of the recent parade to kick off the Art Deco Weekend in South Beach, FL. The 31st annual celebration of Art Deco paid tribute to the Broadway musicals of the thirties and forties; and, who better to be Grand Marshal than Travis, who at 103, is the last surviving original Ziegfeld Follies "girl"? By the way, this year's Easter Bonnet Competition will be presented April 28 and 29 at a Broadway theatre to be announced. For more information visit www.broadwaycares.org.

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