“Bess, You is My Woman Now”
Ladies and gents,
I’ve been feeling a tad off lately. So much so that I made an appointment to see my physician to see if he could determine what was ailing me. The night before my appointment I attended the annual Drama League Gala at the Pierre Hotel. It occurred to me, as I started my dressing ritual, that it has been ages since I’d been to a proper black tie event. And as I slipped on my shoes and looked in the mirror, I was suddenly cured! The body chills, the headache, the phlegm – gone in an instant! It turns out all I needed was a touch of glamour.
Well, the evening didn’t disappoint. The evening’s honoree was forty-eight time (or whatever) Tony® Award-winner Audra McDonald, who looked absolutely ravishing in her Tadashi gown and James Martin jewels. The room was packed with exactly the right crowd, though haven’t the space to name them all. Co-hosted by the ever gorgeous Taye Diggs and ever poised Phylicia Rashad, the event boasted the likes of Zoe Caldwell, Anthony Crievello, Tyne Daly, Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Julie White, Victor Garber, Jayne Houdyshell (whose bring-down-the-house rendition of “Broadway Baby” from the recent revival of Follies is still all my dear friend Beth DuMont ever talks about), Norm Lewis, Mary Testa, Judith Light and Lonny Price. The evening’s highlight (which appeared to be a surprise to Ms. MacDonald, but let’s not forget she’s a very skilled actress) was when her hubby Will Swenson, stood up from the audience to serenade her, Porgy & Bess-style, singing, “Audra, you’re my woman now. You are. You are. And I ain’t never going nowhere less you share the fun.”
The first thing I did when I got home, head still spinning from my glass or four of champagne, was dial Dr. Leo Rosen’s answering service and cancel my appointment. I wasn’t going to fork over the $25 co-pay just to have him tell me to “Attend two black tie galas and call me in the morning!”
Tidbits from around town…
Overheard Zoe Caldwell and Tyne Daly reminiscing about their times at the Bucks County Playhouse outside the Pierre Hotel at the tail end of the aforedetailed Drama League Gala.
Spotted David Rockwell scooting from the Hirshfeld, where his set for Kinky Boots is currently being loaded-in, to the Broadhurst, where his set for Lucky Guy is currently being loaded-in.
Caught Fiona Apple eating (somewhat ironically) an orange, rind and all, on West 23rd Street.
As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours!
Kisses,
