Every day is opening night.

Ladies and Gents,

Meet the Nominees

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the Tony Award nominations were announced last week. What you may not know is that each year lucky media types, like myself, get to attend a massive press junket to chat with all the nominees. This was my first year attending and, as you can imagine, my head was spinning! All the press outlets were stationed in their own cabanas, and under the glare of all the television lights it was as if poolside in Palm Springs! So many of my old friends were in the room, it felt like a high school reunion! I ran into Paul Wontorek, Dana Tyler, Christine Fahey, Brian Scott Lipton, Frank DiLella, Susan Haskins, Andrew Andrew, and the list goes on and on! But, of course, the nominees were the real stars, and they came out in droves! Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jude Law, Laura Linney, Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Viola Davis, Alfred Molina, Kelsey Grammer, Jan Maxwell (nominated twice!), Sean Hayes, Valerie Harper, the adorable Bobby Steggert, and the list goes on and on. I also ran into my old buddies from the American Theatre Wing, Ted Chapin and Howard Sherman, while they were taking a brief break from posing for snapshots.  Their jaws must have been sore from all that smiling, but they were showing no signs of fatigue.  I called Howard earlier today to thank him for including me in the event, and we ended up chitchatting for nearly 30 minutes about the nominees.  He said, “it was fascinating to watch the entire room gravitate towards Catherine Zeta-Jones when she stepped off the elevators — staring intently at her, from a respectful distance, even when she was doing something as mundane as having her picture taken with me.”  Now, that’s the very definition of star quality!

A fabulous Circle

I was surprised by just how much fun I had at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards last night. I made eyes at a handsome, young barkeep who, in turn, started pouring my drinks with a heavy hand. I don’t remember much after that, but I do want to give huge congratulations to the brilliant Annie Baker, who took home an “Emerging Artist Special Citation” for her breathtaking plays Circle Mirror Transformation and The Aliens.

Rapture

And speaking of boozy nights out, I attended the delightful opening night of Sherie Rene Scott’s Everyday Rapture. I’ve adored Sherie ever since I caught her performance in The Last Five Years nearly a decade ago, and she’s never shone like she shines in this! At the after party I downed no less then four delish signature cocktails called W.W.J.D., or “What would Judy (as in Garland) Drink?” I have no doubt that Judy would have enjoyed this potent potable very much (but she would have had five). I understand there are more parties in Sherie’s future, as I’m hearing that this year’s O&M Co. Tony Party will be held in her and (co-writer) Dick Scanlan’s honor.

Thank you for being a friend

I would be remiss if I didn’t discuss the sense of pride and joy I feel for my dear friend Betty White. Betty and I have known each other since I did a walk-on roll on “The Golden Girls” in 1987. Well, I was recovering from a rather gruesome head injury I sustained in a head-on golf cart collision, and was on a heavy-duty prescription narcotic. Needless to say, I wasn’t in top form for the taping, and I had to be recast at the last minute. Through it all, Betty treated me with nothing but professionalism and respect. I never forgot it, and always gave her the most loving coverage in return. She knocked ‘em dead on SNL and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Tidbits from around town

Spied Hugh Dancy smelling and squeezing produce at Gourmet Garage in Soho.

Overheard Anne Hathaway ordering a martini with both olives and a twist at Bar Centrale. How novel!

Ran into Michael Shannon enjoying the sunshine outside at the Maritime Hotel’s La Bottega.

Witnessed Canadian rap artist Baba Brinkman giving what appeared to be a large Canadian bill to a panhandler on Bleeker Street.

A special thanks to Walter McBride for the artful photo!

As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours!

Kisses,