Great shows, great performers

NYC -- After spending more than a week in New York, I can vouch that the theater scene there is vibrant and healthy.

New musicals such as "Spring Awakening" and "Legally Blonde" cater to potential new audiences, as well as some traditional theater-goers.

Big names star in returns of dramas such as "Inherit the Wind," "Talk Radio" and "Moon for the Misbegotten." The first two, amazingly, are still as relevant as they were when they were first produced.

And exciting new pieces such as "Frost/Nixon," "Coram Boy," and "LoveMusik" round out an exciting spring season.

Performance highlights:

Stephanie J. Block in "The Pirate Queen" -- She was our Elphaba in "Wicked" the first year in Tampa, and played opposite Hugh Jackman on Broadway in "The Boy From Oz."

Eve Best in "The Moon for the Misbegotten"

Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehy in "Inherit the Wind"

Laura Bell Bundy in "Legally Blonde"

Ashley Brown as "Mary Poppins"

For more information on New York Broadway, go to www.livebroadway.com -- Michael Kilgore/TBPAC