“Moon River”
Ladies and gents,
One of the great tragedies of my life was that I was unable to score an invite to Truman Capote’s famed Black and White Ball in 1966. I had heard about the event before the invitations had even gone out, as Truman was opening taunting all of New York society: “Maybe you’ll get an invitation, maybe you won’t.” When I heard the invitations finally did go out, I sat on my stoop every day for a week waiting for the mailman to come. My invitation never arrived. I called everyone I couldn’t think of to beg for help, but the list was closed. On the night of the event, I showed up to The Plaza and tried to sneak my way into the ballroom by crawling through the air duct, but I took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up at reception, where I finally just had to shimmy out of a vent in full view of the entire lobby staff.
Well, I was finally redeemed on Wednesday night when I got to attend the black-and-white themed opening for Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Broadway. The evening was hosted by Debbie Harry and Interview Magazine (how Warholian!), and stars turned out in droves. I spotted Sir Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis, Barbara Walters, Billy Crudup, LuAnn de Lesseps, Suzanne Bartsch, Alexander Wang, and Trudie Styler seeing and being seen in fabulous monochromatic attire. Zac Posen, who showed up in army green, was the only celebrity in attendance who couldn’t be bothered to adhere to the dress code; you’d think he, of all people, could find a good stylist!
Despite all that star wattage, though, the real guest of honor was Vito Vincent who plays the role of “Cat” in the play. This cat is the Robert De Niro of cats – a brilliant performer, a tad eccentric, and extremely intense. He gamely walked the red carpet and posed for photographers, but flat out refused to do any print or television interviews. I tried to shout one soft-ball question at him as he pranced out of the press room, and he simply glared and hissed! De Niro once gave me the same reaction at the premiere of This Boys Life.
Tidbits from around town…
Spotted George Wendt perched, Norm-style, at the bar at Joe Allen.
Overheard MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts complimenting Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’s Billy Magnussen on his performance at the gym. (I know you’re dying to know which gym, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy.)
Finally, congrats to Tracie Bennett who has taken her smash hit, Tony®-nominated performance as Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow to the West Coast, where she just opened to rave reviews.
As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours!
Kisses,
