'The Drowsy Chaperone' leads Tony nods By Elysa Gardner

A pair of West Coast transfers will duke it out for Broadway's biggest prize this season. But alas, a certain Hollywood princess will not be among them.

'Tarzan' will have you yelling By Elysa Gardner

Tarzan is no more a major new musical than Chaperone is. But I'll take the former's good-natured exuberance over the latter's preening irony any day of the week.

New 'Caine Mutiny' fails to seize control of the audience By Elysa Gardner

* * 1/2 out of four

'Faith Healer' finds Fiennes in fine form By Elysa Gardner<br> * * * 1/2 out of four

'Inishmore': Savagery and satire in one shot By Elysa Gardner<br> * * * * out of four

Clever 'Drowsy Chaperone' is kind of a kick By Elysa Gardner

Ingenious as they were, Porter and the Gershwins are worshiped not for the way their words and music impress us but for how they delight and move us.
The creators of Chaperone, in contrast, reveal a snickering self-consciousness that dilutes the sense of joy vital to this kind of tribute. Like that other critically adored escapade Urinetown!, Chaperone offers too much winking and not enough wonder.

'Hot Feet' follows a well-worn path By Elysa Gardner

* * out of four

Julianna Margulies: Married to the Mob, the stage By Donna Freydkin

'Wedding' loves the '80s By Elysa Gardner

The Wedding Singer (* * 1/2 out of four), the new musical adaptation of the film, trades on 1980s nostalgia with a ferocity that would put a VH1 marketing executive to shame.

'The History Boys' is a study in human virtues and flaws

(* * * 1/2)

'Lestat' proves syrup is thicker than blood By Elysa Gardner

(* * 1/2 out of four)

'Awake' has wide appeal By Elysa Gardner

* * * 1/2 out of four

My 2 cents' worth: 'Threepenny' fails By Elysa Gardner

* 1/2 out of four

Roberts' strengths shine through in 'Rain' By Elysa Gardner

* * * out of four

Paul Rudd finds life drenched in 'Rain' By Donna Freydkin

'Elements of Style' defines its women By Elysa Gardner

The curtain officially rises on Roberts' Broadway debut

Odd, creepy 'Festen' touches on tragedy By Elysa Gardner

* * 1/2 out of four

'All Aboard' with O'Donnell & crew By Robert Bianco

Curtains rise on off-Broadway, regional fare By Elysa Gardner

USA TODAY notes and assesses some key off-Broadway and regional productions:

'Well' strives to be deep, but it's not By Elysa Gardner

* * out of four

What to watch this weekend by Robert Bianco

A few seats available for Roberts Broadway run

The Broadway revival of Three Days of Rain, starring Julia Roberts in her Broadway debut, is pretty much sold-out for its three-month run.

'Diaries': Throw away the key By Robert Bianco

The most recognizable young actor is probably Gilmore Girls exile Milo Ventimiglia as a "drunken rich brat," while the most talented and underemployed is Tony winner Audra McDonald. Four Tonys and the best Hollywood can do for her is Bedford Diaries?

'Jukebox musicals' pull in some coin By Elysa Gardner