Cate’s gift to B’way stage
SUNDAY night. Frigid. Snowy. Golden Globes. The Barrymore Theatre jammed. Marvelous, gorgeous talented two-time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett opening in “The Present” by Chekhov, who in the 1800s didn’t have Russians rushing home for Netflix and streaming so his Act 1’s an hour and 40.
Alan Cumming, why the theater instead of watching TV? “Because I want to see real talent.”
Designer Prabal Gurung, why watching Cate Blanchett instead of Jimmy Fallon? “Because I love Cate. Also, she wears my clothes.”
Terry Allen Kramer with George Hamilton, why you here? “Because I’m one of the producers.” Fellow Australian Hugh Jackman sent Cate a crate of giant balloons. She had to pierce some to squeeze into her dressing room.
Outside, chatting up TV cameramen as Tina Fey slipped inside, John Crowley. Somebody whispered: “That’s the director. He’s really cool.” Yeah. Right. Temperature was single digits. He was wearing just his suit. No coat. Shivering. Rubbing his hands together. Oy, was he cool.
Cate is magnificent. Chekhov is Chekhov. The evening is special. However, this three-hour play could strain the urinary tract.
Board Review
SOME readers didn’t see all the awards goings-on, so at the National Board of Review gala we talked the early days of some of our up-for-awards actors. Jeff Bridges. “I’m working since age 8 and never had trouble starting out in this business because of nepotism. My father, Lloyd Bridges, taught me to be gracious. Get along. Never trouble those young- sters who think they’re hot.”
Mark Wahlberg: “My first audition was to be just a meeting. I wasn’t interested in a movie. I only wanted two hours with Penny Marshall, who starred in ‘Laverne & Shirley.’ She asked was I an actor. I said, ‘No, I’m a rapper.’ She said, ‘ You act like an actor. Why don’t you just audition?’
“So I auditioned for four parts. Then she called and told me to fly out to LA. On my own. I paid for it. She gave me a screen test. Then a part. I watched everything on the set. From then on, I only wanted to act.”
National Board of Review President Annie Schulhof, who wore a custom tuxedo and Tom Ford in his own tux should only look that good, said: “We give breaks to beginners who then win big. Like J.C. Chandor’s debut. His ‘Margin Call’ later won an Oscar nod for Best Screenplay.” Last to arrive was Matthew Broderick, now rehearsing the New Group’s new play, “Evening at the Talk House.” And Adam Driver, stiffing all reporters, only allowed photos. Time magazine slugs him the “finest actor of the moment.” May they know he’s also the chickenest. And Willie Geist emceed. He emcees everything. The man hasn’t stayed home since kindergarten.
It’s plane awful
FRIDAY was Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s horrific massacre. Sunday, flying out of there, travelers found the airport all calm, pleasant, serene, like absolutely nothing happened.
INSIDE the Barrymore, discussing Chekhov, one voice said: “Russia has Santa Claus in department stores, too. But there he tells you what you’re getting.” Only in New York, kids, only in New York.