“WINNER TAKES IT ALL”
The Lucille Lortel has been on a hot streak the likes of which I haven’t seen since my 2003 trip to Atlantic City with Ben Affleck. And, unlike Mr. Affleck’s luck at the blackjack table, the Lortel’s streak shows no signs of letting up. I was there for Thursday night’s opening of Kenneth “Kenny” Lonergan’s tragicomedy, Hold on to Me Darling, starring Adam Driver – on the night of the playwright’s birthday, nonetheless!
I spotted Tom Hanks gamely posing for photographers outside on Christopher Street, as Mark Consuelos was ducking inside. My old buddy Judd Hirsch was there (who else remembers his pitch perfect turn in Sixteen Wounded opposite Omar Metwally, Martha Plimpton, and the late, great Jan Maxwell?), chatting up Aubrey Plaza and Jez Butterworth. A coterie of talent from Stereophonic were also in the house, including Will Butler, Tom Pecinka, and playwright David Adjmi.
The play is classic Lonergan: a deceptively plain-spoken and subtly profound story about a country music superstar seeking a simpler life in the aftermath of his mother’s death. Driver is sublime, as is every supporting player under Neil Pepe’s expert direction, including Heather Burns, Adelaide Clemens, Keith Nobbs, CJ Wilson, and Frank Wood.
It was an apt week to be appreciating Off Broadway glories, as the American Theatre Wing announced the Obie Awards judging panel, co-chaired by Haruna Lee and Wilson Chin. The panel includes Aya Ogawa, Modesto “Flako” Jimenez, Ryan J. Haddad, Barbara Samuels, Santiago Orjuela Laverde, Jonathan McCrory, Stephanie Berry, and Whitney White. These intrepid folks are the lucky beneficiaries of the strongest Off Broadway landscape New York has seen in decades.
Tidbits from around town:
Spotted Kimberly Williams-Paisley trying on coats at the Moncler store on Prince Street.
Saw Saoirse Ronan sharing a laugh with publicist Alex Kahn at The Crosby Street Hotel, following a screening of her new film, The Outrun.
Overheard Brendan Gleeson explaining the sport of hurling to an American friend.
As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours!
Kisses,