“ALL OVER THE WORLD”
Ladies and gents,
Greetings from Down Under! I’m coming to you not only from all the way across the world in Sydney, but also from the future; it’s already tomorrow here — which means I’m aging at a slightly faster clip than usual.
I’m here, mainly, to check out the Just For Laughs comedy festival at the Sydney Opera House, but I’m also doing my homework on big-shot Sydney-based producer Michael Cassel, who’s in charge of a few shows that you may have heard of. Like the first international touring production of The Lion King, in association with Disney, and the Australian premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. In 2021, he’ll be bringing Hamilton to Sydney. This guy doesn’t mess around.
One of the curses of being here this week is having to endure Halloween not once but twice, thanks to the time difference and the wonders of Instagram. Stateside, I’m told Tom Hiddleston dressed as his Betrayal co-star Charlie Cox’s Avengers character (Daredevil) and Charlie dressed as Tom’s (Loki). The Comic Con set has been in a state of ecstasy ever since! Meanwhile, real-life superheroes Cindy Adams and Valerie Salembier visited Speakeasy Magick for its Hitchcock Party, which they reported was even spookier than Hitchcock himself in this post #MeToo era.
Among the non-Halloween-related dispatches coming in from New York: I hear Raúl Esparza is in top form as a chef in Theresa Rebeck’s new play, Seared, which just opened at MCC. I have my tickets booked for the night I return, so pray for me that I sleep on the flight.
Tidbits from around town…
Spotted Joel Grey holding court at Pastis. It’s been open less than a year, and he already has his own regular table!
Caught Stacey Mindich and Baz Bamigboye huddled in deep conversation at the Noël Coward Theatre just before the first preview of Dear Evan Hansen in London.
Overheard comedian and “America’s Got Talent” runner-up Taylor Williamson greeting the organizer of Melbourne’s Jewish International Film Festival with a hearty “Shalom!”
And, finally, congrats to the Washington Nationals. Though I can’t help feeling bereft over another Dodgers shut-out, the beleaguered residents of our nation’s capital city deserve some joy. #LockHimUp
As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours!
Kisses,
Photo: Charlie Cox and Tom Hiddleston by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images