“Night Waltz”
Charles Randolph-Wright, Daryl Roth, and Daniel Beaty celebrate the opening night of Through the Night.
Ladies and Gents,
I rarely focus an entire column on just one night, but what a night!
A perfect “Night”
I attended the opening night for Through the Night on Sunday, and what a glorious occasion it turned out to be. It was my second time viewing the show, and Daniel Beaty’s breathtaking performance has only gotten richer and deeper. The audience response was enough to just about blow the roof off the Union Square Theatre!
Just before the show began, I spotted producer Daryl Roth beaming, as she posed for photos alongside her son Jordan Roth and his partner Richie Jackson. I also spotted a slew of stars in the audience, including Ruby Dee, Joel Grey, Judith Light, Pauletta Washington, Maurice Hines, Malik Yoba, Didi Conn & David Shire, Lynn Whitfield, Eisa Davis, Veanne Cox, and Douglas Carter Beane, and heard whispers of many more in attendance.
After the show, I hung around the stage door to meet Mr. Beaty before he got pulled into the media crush at the party. I waited patiently as a young fan, overwhelmed by his excitement, told Beaty how much this show meant to him, and how much he hoped to one day share the stage with him. It was one of those rare theatrical moments when you realize what the true meaning of art is. I finally got to congratulate the evening’s star – he was gracious as could be and humble to boot.
We all headed over the after party together which was held at the unlikeliest of venues: the new T.G.I. Friday’s in Union Square. It turned out to be the chicest boite I’ve seen in ages– two floors worth of fun cocktails and great snacks. I saw Playbill’s legendary reporter Harry Haun interviewing Peter Shaffer, who was raving about the show into Harry’s tape recorder.
In the back, Ruby Dee held court at a large table of ten, while director Charles Randolph-Wright – who just might be the most popular man in show business—worked the room. Meanwhile, upstairs Daniel’s mother became overwhelmed when she saw a custom-made cake with her son’s likeness on it, while Allison Mack and Bruce Glikas giggled over a plate of T.G.I. Friday’s finest finger foods.
The Union Square Theatre hasn’t seen such excitement since Brad and Angelina (and their pack of kin) attended the opening of Jump!
Bill Cosby, one of the production’s “Artistic Ambassadors,” couldn’t be there but sent his well wishes from afar, as did that other master of multi-character stage magic, Nilaja Sun.
I was delighted to wake up and read the out-and-out rave in the Times! I haven’t been this energized by a production in years, so go see this show!
Tidbits from around town:
Witnessed the world’s greatest living photographer, Annie Leibovitz, and her crew loading equipment into Foxwoods Theatre.
Spotted Barbra Streisand slipping out of Next To Normal at the Booth Theatre, relatively unnoticed.
Overheard socialite Andre Ideire sipping spiked hot chocolate at The Mercer, talking about how “it’s all about luxury this season.”
Finally, Woody Allen & The Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band, announced that they are playing special performances this week at the Cafe Carlyle on both Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2. I will be there for both!
As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours!
Kisses,
