The New Dramatists 68th Annual Spring Luncheon at the New York Marriott Marquis is always a splendid event. This time honoring two of my favorite ladies, Daryl Roth and Paula Vogel. Jim Dale, as always, announced the many guests. Among the many talented actors I love, there were David Hyde Pierce, Rita Moreno, Jennifer Ehle, Andrew Rannells, Judith Light, Laura Osnes, Richard Thomas, Eva Noblezada, Lynn Cohen, director Diane Paulus and costume designer Susan Hilferty, and many more too numerous to mention. The lunch was delicious, after a champagne reception, and the entertainment was wonderful. Another superb event to end the theatre season.

 

The 2017 New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards Reception at Feinstein's/54 Below is always a joyous occasion, Not only do they present prestigious awards, they also provide food and drink, like champagne, wine and well drinks, to put everyone in a convivial mood. The winners this year were Oslo, The Band's Visit, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and the cast of Jitney, Taylor Mac, Paula Vogel, and the presenters included Jennifer Ehle and Constanza Romero Wilson, the widow of August Wilson. It was a wonderful afternoon.

I returned to Feinstein's/54 Below for a performance by Vivian Reed and Allen Harris who performed a New Song Cycle CP4:Central Park & Other Dreams, by Matthew Sklar and my dear friend William Schermerhorn. The two singers sang two selections each and college student Gillian, who is majoring in dance at William & Mary College in Virginia, danced around the cabaret room to the fifth selection. The music is pleasant, the lyics are poetic and the performance by the singers, dancer and the five member band was perfect. Vivian also sang The Lady Is a Tramp, to commemorate Lena Horne's 100th birthday in June as well as a couple of other numbers, and Allan sang two other numbers before performing a duet with Vivian. It was a memorable night of music.

My wife and I attended a marvelous private opening night party for a magnificent restaurant, Mont Blanc 52, featuring Swiss-European Cuisine,which relocated to 344 West 52nd St. We were greeted by three charming ladies, Lola Rivera (Chita Rivera's sister,) Maria from Vienna and Elisabeth Eggimann, who escorted us to a table in the front room opposite the bar. An incredible stream of delicious hors d'oeuvres followed accompanied by champagne, wine and beer. The guests at the party were all old time happy customers from the previous location. I am sure it will have equal success on 52nd St. It is open for lunch and dinner every day. The service is impeccable. I recommend it highly. You will leave very, very satisfied.

I received an advance copy of a book that will be of enormous interest to people who want to increase their creativity. Create!: How Extraordinary People Live To Create and Create To Live, by Ronald Rand, Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, 2017. It is book of perceptive interviews by the author with actors, actresses, artists, designers, choreographers, dancers, clowns, mime artists, puppeteers, composers, lyricists, directors, educators, musicians, singers, playwrights, poets and writers. It begins with a two page preface,The Creative State of Mind, by Mel Gordon, a retired professor, who taught theatre history and acting for four decades, and a two page introduction by Ronald Rand, who has taught and performed for over two decades on five continents, from which one learns the theme of this fascinating book. Among those interviewed, I can only mention a few, like Joel Grey, Chita Rivera, Al Hirshfeld, Jacques d'Amboise, Tommy Tune, David Shiner, Charles Strouse, Sheldon Harick, Julie Budd, Christopher Durang, Tisa Chang, Harold Prince and Dick Cavett. Anyone interested in the arts should purchase this book. It will leave a profound impression on your mind, and may change your life.