1996: This tribute to Hollywood songwriter Johnny Burke made the list, arguably, because Victor/Victoria didn't. WINNER: Rent.

1997: The last Kander and Ebb musical to play Broadway when both men were still living chronicled the 1930s dance marathon circuit, with choreography by Susan Stroman and featuring, among others, a young Kristin Chenoweth.

1998: Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens' magnificent look at turn-of-the-century America, based on E.L. Doctorow's novel, won 4 Tonies, including Best Score, and was revived in 2009, while the show that bested it for the top award was still running in its original production.

1998: Frank Wildhorn's adaptation of the classic French adventure story managed to play in 2 seperate versions during its original run. WINNER: The Lion King.

1999: Another all-black revue, this one highlighting the blues and featuring nominees Ron Taylor (who co-wrote the book) and former winner Gretha Boston.

2000: This lively look back at the big-band era featured cabaret swinger Ann Hampton Callaway and future winner Laura Benanti.

2001: Lonny Price directed and starred in this show as Ed Kelban, most famous as A Chorus Line's lyricist but also a versatile if often unproduced composer-lyricist in his own right.

2001: Directed and cowritten by Les Miz's English translator John Caird (with a score by Paul Gordon), this adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel was one of the few British-style pop-orettas Broadway has seen in the 2000s. WINNER: The Producers.

2002: John Lithgow won Best Actor as a Walter Winchell-like gossip columnist in this take on the classic film, which also featured nominee Brian d'Arcy James and future nominee Kelli O'Hara.

2003: Michel Legrand visited Broadway for this charming if unsuccessful fable about a man who can walk through walls.

2003: Ballet choreographer Twyla Tharp set her vision to work on some Billy Joel classics, belted out live by nominee Michael Cavenaugh. WINNER: Hairspray.

2004: Best Actor Hugh Jackman made his inevitable Broadway debut as Australian entertainer Peter Allen, and became the toast of the town.