Hairspray Opened August 15th 2002
Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue; 212-307-4100; $60-$95; Mon-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Hairspray is a new musical based on the New Line Cinema film (1988) written and directed by John Waters. The book is by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Music by Marc Shaiman. Lyrics by Scott Whitman and Marc Shaiman.  Marissa Jaret Winokur and Harvey Fierstein star in Hairspray which is choreographed by Jerry Mitchell ("The Full Monty"). It is under the direction of Jack O'Brien ("The Full Monty") and the costumes are by William Ivey Long. Also featuring, Dick Latessa, Laura Bell Bundy, Linda Hart, Mathew Morrison, Clark Thorell, Corey Reynolds, Kerry Butler, Mary Bond Davis, and Danelle Wilson.

I'm Not Rappaport Opened July 25th 2002 - Closed September 8th 2002
Booth Theatre, 222 West 45th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue; 212-239-6200; $60-$75; Tue-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM; This 1985 play by Herb Gardner features Judd Hirsch and Ben Vereen. It is directed by Daniel Sullivan. Also featuring Anthony Arkin, Mimi Lieber, Steven Boyer, Jeb Brown, and Tanya Clarke. Hirsch was in the original production of this play about 2 sentimental old men in the park.

Imaginary Friends Previews November 25th 2002 Opening December 12th 2002
Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 West 47th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. 212-239-6200;
Cherry Jones and Swoosie Kurtz star in this new play with music about the feud between Lillian Hellman (Kurtz), and Mary McCarthy (Jones). It is a flashback with singing and dancing performed by various actors in character of the times of their lives. Book by Nora Ephron; Music by Marvin Hamlisch ("Sweet Smell of Success"); Lyrics by Craig Carnelia ("Sweet Smell of Success"); Under the direction of Jack O'Brien; Choreographer Jerry Mitchell; With Harry Groener; Settings by Michael Levine; Costumes by Robert Morgan; Kenneth Posner, Lighting; Jon Weston, Sound; Ron Melrose as the Musical Director.

Into The Woods Opened April 30th 2002
Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St. Between Broadway and 8th Avenue; 212-239-6200; $40-$99; Tue-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM; Director James Lapine; Music & Lyrics Stephen Sondheim; Choreographer John Carrafa; "Into The Woods" is an original story of a Baker and his Wife who attempt to have a child and reverse the curse on their family. It is a blend of five Grimms' fairy tales. Features stories such as "Cinderella", "Rapunzel", "Little Red Riding Hood", and "Jack, The Giant Killer". Features Vanessa Williams as "The Witch", John McMartin as "Narrator/Mysterious Man", Laura Benanti as "Cinderella", and Gregg Edelman as "Cinderella's Prince". The musical "Into The Woods" originally opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on November 5th 1987. 2002 Tony Award : Best Revival of a Musical, 2002 Tony Award : Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt).

La Boheme Previews November 26th 2002 Opening December 8th 2002
Broadway Theatre, Broadway at 53rd Street; 212-239-6200;
"La Boheme" is a new production of the Italian Opera. Music is by Giacomo Puccini; Librettists: Guiseppe Giacosa, and Luigi Illica; From "Scenes de la vie de Boheme" by Henri Murger; Directed by Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge"); Alternating in the role of "Mimi", are Lisa Hopkins, Wei Huang, and Ekaterina Solovyeva; alternating in the role of "Rodolfo" are Alfred Boe, Jesus Garcia, and David Miller; Settings: Catherine Martin ("Moulin Rouge"); Costumes: Martin and Agnes Strathie; Lighting: Nigel Levings; Sound by Acme Sound Partners (Tom Clark, Mark Menard, amd Nevin Steinberg); Constantine Kitsopoulis is the Musical Director; Mr. Luhrmann's production of "La Boheme" first premiered at the Sydney Opera House in 1990; Set in the 1950's it will be sung in Italian with English surtitles; Luhrmann's first in the USA.

Les Miserables Opened March 12th 1987
Imperial Theater, 249 W. 45th St. between Broadway & 8th Ave. 239-6200. $20-$90. Mon-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; 3 Hours. One intermission. Geffen cast album. Musical adaptation of Victor Hugo novel about persecuted Jean Valjean. J. Mark McVey is current Valjean, Javert is Philip Hernandez & Fantine is played by Jacquelyn Piro.

The Lion King Opened November 13th 1997
New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W. 42nd. St. Between 7th and 8th Ave. (212-307-4747). $30-$100. Wintertime schedule: Wed-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 1 and 6:30 PM. Summertime schedule, Memorial Day to Labor Day: Tue-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM; 2 hrs. 45 min. One intermission. Director Julie Taymor. Disney's new theater. Adaptation from animated screen. Cast of 46 sings the Elton John - Tim Rice score. Simba the lion cub destined to become king. Garth Fagan - Choreographer.

Mamma Mia Opened October 18th 2001
Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway at 50th Street. 212-239-6200; or, 212-563-5544; or, 800-432-7250. $55.00-$98.75. Mon-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Mamma Mia opened at London's Prince Edward Theatre in April, 1999 and was a fantastic hit that has broken every known British box office record and continues to sell out. The group ABBA has sold over 350 million records worldwide. Mamma Mia includes the hit "Money, Money, Money".  Featuring Louise Pitre as Donna Sheridan, a single mother running a tavern on a fictional Greek island. Her friends, Rosie and Tanya are played by Judy Kaye and Karen Mason. They will all get together for the wedding of Donna's daughter, Sophie played by Tina Maddigan. Tina and Louise are making their Broadway debuts. Also featuring, Joe Machota, David Keeley, Ken Marks, Dean Nolen, Tonya Doran, Sara Inbar, Mark Price, and Michael B. Washington. A musical love story based on the music of ABBA. Produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Bjorn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal. Music-Lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. Playwright Catherine Johnson. Director Phyllida Lloyd. Choreographer Anthony Van Laast.

Metamorphoses Opened March 4th 2002
Circle in the Square Theatre, 1633 Broadway at 50th Street. 212-239-6200; $30-$75; Tue-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM; This play by Mary Zimmerman, director, transforms the stage into a 30 foot wide pool of water in which classic Roman myths come to life. King Midas, Narcissus and his reflection, Orpheus, and Euridice. With Anjali Bhimani, Raymond Fox, Kyle Hall, Doug Hara, Felicity Jones, Chris Kipiniak, Louise Lamson, Erik Lochtefeld, Mariann Mayberry and Lisa Tejero. Original Music by Willy Schwarz. 2002 Tony Award : Best Direction of a Play (Mary Zimmerman).

Mostly Sondheim June 23rd through August 25th 2002
Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway at 64th Street; 212-239-6200; $40-$60; Sun, Mon 7:30 PM; A return engagement; Barbara cook sings an evening of Sondheim; Some songs by Irving Berlin, and Cy Coleman; Wally Harper on piano; John Burr on bass. Originally opened on January 14th 2002 - February 11th 2002.