Every day is opening night.

“I’ll Be Here Tomorrow”

Clark Gregg, Joel Grey, and Jennifer Grey celebrate the opening of MCNY’s “Joel Grey / A New York Life.”

 

Ladies and gents,

I am channeling my dear old friend George Christy, who used to pen his columns from Patrick’s Roadhouse in Santa Monica, as I type this from a corner table at New York’s hottest downtown boîte, The Fat Radish.

A New York Life

It has been a very eventful week, kicking off with the opening night reception of “Joel Grey / A New York Life” at the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY). The exhibit is a perfectly curated look at how the fabulous Mr. Grey and the fabulous city in which he lives have inspired and shaped each other over the years. On display is a giant timeline detailing every major moment in the life of a legend, a slew of Joel’s own photos of the city, and personal memorabilia from his years in the biz. A prominent wall is devoted to a truly spectacular piece of writing by none other than Jon Robin Baitz, which perfectly ties together Joel’s dual artistic roles: actor and photographer.

The event happened to take place on Joel’s 79th birthday, and the it all felt more than suitably celebratory! A slew of his cast mates from Anything Goes were on hand to celebrate, including Laura Osnes, the adorable Colin Donnell, Jessica Walter, and John McMartin, as well as that show’s director Kathleen Marshall. The Normal Heart producer Daryl Roth was also there, looking particularly glam. Of course it was a thrill to see Joel’s daughter Jennifer Grey arrive with hubby Clark Gregg and daughter Stella in tow.

As the event was winding down, I was invited to attend a private birthday dinner for Joel. Well, who would turn that invite down? A caravan of towncars was waiting in front of the museum to whisk us downtown to the very restaurant I’m now sitting in: The Fat Radish. The dinner was roudy and bawdy and great fun, and about midway though our meal Spider -Man guitarist Zane Carney popped in with stars Reeve Carney and Jennifer Damiano.  Reeve caused such a stir around the table that certain members of the party almost required a cold shower!  The evening culminated when the largest bottle of rose champagne I’ve ever seen was uncorked and the entire restaurant (including Liv Tyler, seated at a nearby table) burst into applause.
The exhibition is on display until early August so make sure you plan to stop by!

Don’t Mess with Texas

I am ashamed to admit that Ballroom Marfa was not on my radar until they brought their annual fundraiser to New York City. Well, now it’s all I can think about! A sleek, sexy and cutting edge arts space in Marfa, Texas (the state’s alien abduction capital, I’m told). Well I attended the fundraiser, and boy was it a glam affair! Those Texans know how to throw a gala! New York’s grand dame of Texans, Liz Smith, held court at a prime table. I hear New York’s other favorite transplanted Texan, Tommy Tune, was trying to hop a plane back from Miami to be there, but there was a snafu with the flight schedules and he missed it. Sponsored by Casa Dragones tequila (courtesy of the glamorous Bertha Gonzales, the world’s most famous female tequilera) and W Magazine, the bash was held at the fashionably galleryesque westside space I had never seen before. And guess who did the catering? Silkstone, owned and operated by the same folks behind The Fat Radish!

Tidbits from around town…

Spotted Joan Rivers slipping off her mask in the bar area of Sleep No More.

Caught Rufus Wainwright (underdressed even by Off Broadway standards) overcome with emotion during the curtain call for The Other Place.

Witnessed Stew and director Joanna Settle playing “pattycake” (again) at Birdland just before Monty Alexander took the stage.

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

Kisses,

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