| Ladies and gents,
Your faithful scribe recently traded Manhattan’s holiday hordes for the melodic murmur of Catalan, jetting off to Barcelona for a major press event. The weather, I’m thrilled to report, was positively autumnal—a welcome break from the artic blast of Midtown.
After a late lunch, I made my way to Teatre Victoria, where Antonio Díaz—better known as El Mago Pop —gathered international glitterati to announce a global stadium tour that promises to do for illusion what Cirque did for acrobatics and the Rolling Stones did for rock.
Already Europe’s most successful illusionist and the highest-grossing entertainer in Spanish history, Díaz is taking his act to the next level. When he opens at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, he’ll become the first illusionist in history to play stadiums. Future stops include Miami, the United Kingdom, and more to come.
The event included appearances by Academy Award winner Helen Hunt, Emmy Award winner Aaron Paul, Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino, Billy Zane, David Henrie, Michelle Rodriguez, President of Catalunya Salvador Illa, Mayor of Barcelona Jaume Collboni, Amaia, Jon Kortajarena, Alex Gonzalez, and Paz Vega. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Christopher Lloyd participated via video.
Barcelona was positively humming post-announcement. I spied abuelas on the street squeezing Antonio’s cheeks and hugging him like he’d just won Eurovision.
Then guests were swept into a fabulously sexy reception spanning all floors of the city’s most discreet disco, El Molino. Picture laser lights, cava, and “Murder on the Dance Floor” playing loud enough to make one’s ear’s bleed.
I caught up with Mira Sorvino, who, while in town, visited the now-elderly matriarch of the family she stayed with while filming Whit Stillman’s classic Barcelona. Hugs, tears, and a home-cooked paella were all reportedly involved.
Aaron Paul, meanwhile, revealed he’s now living in Paris with his wife and little ones—and was London-bound the next morning to see “Mr. White” himself (a.k.a. Bryan Cranston) in All My Sons, a smash on the West End.
After all that, I was ready for bed—but in Barcelona, a dance party is merely a warm-up act. So I popped into Nobu, where public relations guru Kendall Edwards hosted, and red-carpet mainstay Richard Ridge held court from a plush, David Rockwell-designed banquette. The topic du jour? The future of televised theater awards. “More drone shots and shorter speeches,” he declared, between bites of toro. When talk turned to El Mago Pop’s arena tour, David Copperfield was referenced in hushed, reverent tones. After Ms. Edwards insisted on a round of lychee martinis, discussion turned to a rumor that the great Tovah Feldshuh was in talks to create a music video featuring the Donna Summer classic, “Last Dance,” as a riff on red carpet antics. Can’t wait!
The next morning, as I strolled through El Raval sipping a cortado, I found myself fantasizing about subletting my Manhattan shoebox for a season of Catalan couture, tapas, and trickery.
Meanwhile, stateside, Broadway went ALL OUT, literally, for the final Broadway premiere of 2025. Simon Rich’s workplace-themed follow-up to ALL IN, began performances at the Nederlander. Rather than slip quietly into the theater district’s holiday haze, the production marked its debut with an impromptu rush-hour concert for the hardworking midtown work force on the sidewalk by the infectiously beloved band Lawrence (responsible for the show’s music). Introduced by current member of the rotating cast, Eric Andre, the band performed three sensational numbers for a very enthusiastic crowd, who also got to enjoy complimentary coffee from a branded truck.
The performance that followed marked the Broadway debuts of not only Andre, but also the whip-smart Ike Barinholtz, Abbi Jacobson, and just maybe potential 2028 presidential candidate Jon Stewart.
Tidbits from around town…
Caught Marin Ireland quietly sipping sherry in the corner booth at Angel’s Share.
Witnessed Taika Waitti meticulously rearranging sugar packets at Cafe Luxembourg.
Spotted Jane Lynch in a sun visor taking a private tennis lesson at La Quinta Resort & Club—followed by a round of daiquiris in the shade.
As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours!
Kisses, |
