2012 was a huge year for the performing arts. Across film, music, television, and theater, boundaries were broken, the inexplicable seemed to happen time and time again, and key figures were lost. With that in mind, we’ve decided to collect what we consider the year’s most important stories. Though they may not have been the biggest events (with some exceptions), these are the 10 that we’ll remember long after 2012 is over.

For an illustrated guide to the year in pop culture, click on the slideshow.