WOW TIME AT THE APOLLO
M“La La Land” composer thought he’d won a Best Picture Oscar when , on stage with read out the wrong winner at February’s Academy Award gala. But he understands, and makes a decent case for shortening the annual four-hour Hollywood love letter to itself. “My heart goes out to (Dunaway and Beatty),” Paul told us at the MCC Theater’s Miscast Gala. “I can never speak as to how I would have handled that situation . . . It was late, she was ready to get out of there.” Paul, accompanied by his songwriting partner was one of many treats at the fittingly named “Miscast” fund-raiser, where brought down the house with his rousing rendition of “I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from the hit show “Dreamgirls.” Singer who starred as Effy in the Broadway show, was on stage for Butz’s performance and confessed that she planned to make fun of him — but much to her surprise, she thought he was great.
Comedian told us at the event that she recently watched a documentary about teasing, and has been rethinking how it effects people, including her frequently mocked friend and colleague,
“She’s so chill and down to earth and level headed, but it gets to her like it would get to anybody,” the Manhattan, Kan., native told us. “But she’s doing great.”
One star missing from the “Miscast” cast entirely on Monday was “Mean Girls” star despite having been listed as a headlining performer on the event’s promos.
Organizers said they were notified at the last minute that Fey – an invited guest – wasn’t going to make it due to a scheduling conflict, and said promotional material listing her among the performers was sent in error.
Fey’s reps confirm she canceled due to scheduling issues and was never slated to perform. “Empire” star will be a special guest speaker at the Apollo Theater’s Women of the World festival, which kicks off on May 4. The 33-yearold Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, native (photo) has signed on to talk at WOW’s Teen Summit, where her new memoir “This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare” is likely to come up. WOW will hold 20 simultaneous festivals worldwide, with the New York event happening in Harlem.