Hello, diva lovers! This week's column offers a backward glance at the year that comes to a close this weekend. This year's "best of" list includes favorite musicals and/or musical performances on the theatrical and concert stages in and out of Manhattan. I'm thankful I was able to catch so many wonderful performances, and I hope the year to come brings even more memorable ones. Wishing you all much joy and peace in 2012.

THE BEST OF 2011 (in alphabetical order, by first name):

Andrea Marcovicci
Site-specific theatre was all the rage this year — even Zoe Caldwell was doing it — but cabaret favorite Andrea Marcovicci didn't need to literally invite audiences into her apartment to make them feel like they were in her living room. She simply sang, acted, charmed and made one feel so welcome, so a part of her expertly crafted evening, No Strings at the Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room, that audiences left feeling they had attended an elegant holiday party. Marcovicci has always skillfully built her cabaret evenings, but as the years have passed, she has become equally adept at making each and every person in the audience feel a special part of the show, whether she's singing directly to you while walking throughout the intimate room, talking to audience members from the mini stage or triumphantly clinking her glass against yours during her encore. And, her newest show had everything this diva lover looks for in a cabaret performance: a few gems I know and love (a touching "Two for the Road" and a beguiling "These Foolish Things"), a couple tunes that were new to me ("Rainy Night in Rio," "The Night I Fell in Love With Paris"), several songs that made me laugh out loud ("When Yuba Plays the Rhumba On the Tuba," "I Don't Know"), terrific patter and a few insights into the gifted chanteuse's own life. Marcovicci is currently celebrating her 25th season at the famed Manhattan venue. Here's to 25 more!