Triumphs and Tributes

Jonathan Demme, Uma Thurman, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Mike Nichols, Amy Adams, Stanly Tucci, Garrison Keillor, and Christopher Walken at the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 35th annual tribute.

This past Monday night, the Film Society of Lincoln Center honored Meryl Streep with a tribute and a Supper Dance afterwards at the New York State Theater. The tribute is an annual affair. The first one I ever attended was years ago and Fred Astaire was the honoree. I shall never forget after the series of film clips, when the lights came up and the host introduced Fred Astaire who was in black tie and sitting in a box with his old friend Jock Whitney. He waved with his almost self-effacing modesty, and smiled and waved to his legions of admirers.

I missed Monday night’s as I was over at the Paris Review Revel (see yesterday’s NYSD [1]). I wasn’t surprised yesterday morning when a friend called me to rave about it and how every film clip of her performances was wonderful.

I don’t know Miss Streep although I’ve been introduced (in a reception line). My most vivid memory of her, however, was a few years ago at a dinner at the old Le Cirque (in the Palace Hotel) after a screening of her (then) latest film.

Uma Thurman, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Mike Nichols, Amy Adams, Stanly Tucci, Garrison Keillor, and Christopher Walken

I was wandering around the dining room looking for photo ops because there were several movie stars as well as a lot of prominent New Yorkers attending. Many actors and actresses are not particularly accommodating when you try to take their picture. Some are rude and snotty and others ignore you as if they didn’t hear your request. I recall that night how Nicole Kidman was busy leaning into a table talking to some friends and smoking a cigarette. On hearing my request, she just murmured: “later ... ” (meaning: get lost).

I slunk away but a moment later I came upon Meryl Streep at a table just as she was taking a rather large bite (some would call it: filling her face) to finish a brownie.

Seeing me with my camera, and getting the message, she immediately put up her hand as if to say: “just a minute ... ” Then she made a large gulping movement with her head, and with a big grin on her face, she stood up straight, patted her chest as if to make sure it had all gone down and she was ready; and then ... she flashed me a big warm smile.

Meryl Streep poses with the evening's sponsors

So, do I love Meryl Streep? Who couldn’t? And so when I saw her in “The Devil Wears Prada” it made it doubly as funny to see that woman with the big warm smile play a major fashion magazine bitch. Did she relish the part? Didn’t we all when we saw her?

When it comes to real movie stars we all have our favorites and ultimately that decision is based on the “impression” as to how we’d feel around them. This impression usually comes from the roles they play and how they play them. Streep’s roles have been so diverse, from tragedy to comedy, from pathos to silliness, yet at all times she is believable. At all times, she takes us with her, and very possibly because she has a generous soul. With a big warm smile underneath it all.

Jonathan Demme, Uma Thurman, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Mike Nichols, Amy Adams, Stanly Tucci, Garrison Keillor, and Christopher Walken

Christopher and Georgianne Walken

Garrison Keillor

Wendy Keys and Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep solo, with Jonathan Demme, and Mike Nichols.

Meryl Streep with more of the evening's sponsors

Robert Redford and Christopher Walken

Monday at Guastavino’s restaurant on East 59th Street, NOFA-NY (the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York) held its first annual benefit luncheon. NOFA supports farmers, gardeners and consumers who are working to create an accessible, regional food supply that is fresh, healthy and available. Organic.

The scene at Guastavino's.

You’re going to be reading more and more and more about this and you’re going to care more as you see it influence your health and well-being, as well as feeding the hungry. To learn more visit their website: www.NOFANY.org [4]

Mark Potenza and Joy Pearson

Anne Hearst and Jay McInerney

Wendy Sarasohn, Doug Leeds, and Judy Gordon

Christie Brinkley and Scott Chaskey

Pepe Fanjul

Rex Farr

Lauren Remington Platt, Scott Chaskey, and Lauren Bush

Lauren Remington Platt

CeCe Black

Barbara Tober

Jamee Gregory

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps

Lauren Bush

Lake Bell

Kathy Laurence

Gilbert Heller, Toby Heller, Henry Heller, Leila Heller, and Bart Hopkins

Dr. Woodson Merrill

Anne Rapp

Anna LaPay

Last Wednesday night, Lincoln Center held its annual Spring Gala in the Rose Theater in Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center (Time Warner Center). The black tie evening honored Robert A. Iger, President and CEO, The Walt Disney Company.


Michael R. Bloomberg and Frank A. Bennack, Jr.

Following the cocktail reception, Diane Sawyer presented Mr. Iger with the Lincoln Center Laureate Award for his generous support of the performing arts.

Vanessa Williams, the Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-nominated actress and singer, hosted the evening and also performed.

The event celebrated the music of Disney films, from the classics to the contemporary, with the music will be performed by the 65-member Orchestra of St. Luke’s and a number of special guests including Michael Bolton, Angela M. Brown, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jane Krakowski, and John Pizzarelli.

Composer Alan Menken performed a medley from his catalogue of movie music, which includes Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted, accompanying himself on piano.

Willow Bay, Michael R. Bloomberg, Diane Sawyer, Robert A. Iger, and Frank A. Bennack, Jr.

The show was under the musical direction of Michael Kosarin, who was the conductor and musical arranger for the vocals for the film Enchanted and who currently is music supervisor of The Little Mermaid on Broadway. Peter Flynn was the director of the gala performance, and Christopher Gattelli was choreographer.

The Spring Gala raises support for Lincoln Center, Inc. and the more than 400 performances it produces and presents each year.