I'm a bit tipsy from all the wine at the birthday party, but let's talk about the closing today first. The show was stopped five times today and probably lasted about 10 minutes l0onger than usual. the five showstopping moments: "Glocca Morra," "If This Isn't Love," "Necessity," "The Begat," and "When I'm Not Near The Girl I Love." Terri White got a standing ovation from some of the audience at the end of "Necessity" and Chris Fitzgerald's ovation for his number went on so long that he had to carry Susan around the set with Finian following him until they could get back into position to ontinue the scene. As soon as the finale ended the audience rose in unison and the whole bows and exit march were played to a standing ovation. There were funny variations to the bows; tonight rather than just give each other an odd look, Chuck Cooper and David Schramm, as the black and white Senator Rawkins, gave each other a huge hug. I cried at every number and the cast was dynamite as though saying screw you to the naysayers that helped kill such a fantastic production. I sat on the steps to the mezzanine with Warren Carlyle our wonderful director, his girlfriend, Tripp the stage manager, two production assistants and Maia one of our company managers. It was a spectacular exit with panache and artistry.
I then met Bruce Pomahac who was in the audience and we went to dinner at the Westside Diner before heading back to his place to chill out. Ted Chapin joined us there and we headed down to Rob's birthday party on 13th Street at the spectacular Hotel Gansevoort. There were a large number of people I like: Joshie, Kerry O'Malley, Steven Bogardus, David Zellnik, Kate Baldwin, cellist Peter Sachon, Peter Foley, David Gursky, Rob's partner Chase, his parents, a lot of great folk and a few I am not fond of, particularly Ted Sperling, who's only cordial when he feels like it and clearly didn't tonight, and Bruce Coughlin. I really liked talking to Mark Bruni who's directing FANNY for Encores! and several others whom I really cannot name because I'm too tipsy!
