Photo File

An original screenplay by actors Geoffrey Nauffts and Anthony Barrile, Showstopper tells “the heartwarming and often hilarious tale of a director who, upon discovering he’s been granted a second act in life, attempts to reconnect with his highly theatrical family.” Also in the cast of the reading were Adam Pascal…

…Tony Award-winner Christine Ebersole, who will be appearing with her 42nd Street cohort Billy Stritch at Feinstein’s at the Regency in a new show titled “In Your Dreams,” February 17-March 6…

…and Mario Cantone, recently seen in the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Richard Greenberg’s The Violet Hour.

Despite excellent reviews, Avenue Q wasn’t selling out during its first few months on Broadway — probably because potential ticket buyers weren’t sure exactly what sort of show it is. But now, thanks to rapturous word of mouth, the musical with a score by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and a book by Jeff Whitty has been doing boffo box-office. A recent celebrity attendee was Tony Shalhoub, who plays the obsessive-compulsive title character on the TV show Monk. Here’s Shalhoub backstage with Q star Nicky…

…and here’s another shot of the dynamic duo.

Shalhoub’s wife, actress Brooke Adams, also came backstage with him to say hi.

We leave you with two photos of this year’s Manhattan Theatre Club Winter Gala, held on Monday, January 12 at the Plaza Hotel. The gorgeous stars of the show were Jane Krakowski, Tom Wopat, and Kristin Chenoweth….

…and among those in attendance were TV power couple Maury Povich and Connie Chung.