Lyle Lovett

What a great concert. After a perfect day in the city, lunch at the Spotted Pig, extras in the new film "Kettle of Fish" with Matthew Modine, shopping up and down Madison Ave. Then to Central Park.
It was hot, 90. We waited in line early and it paid off. Front row. The concert started better than any in a long time. LL's long time back-up singer, Blues singer Francine Reed came out from the back of the audience singing her signature tune "Wild Women", sauntering through the audience and up to the stage. Then LL came out an did almost 2 1/2 hours of amazing material. His band is so polished, rehearsed and classy. And the combined sound of his regular country guys, with the Alabama horns, and the great cast of gospel back-up singers creates a sound that no one else comes close to on stage. He is truly a great live performer, with intelligence, witty patter and great tunes. He finished up with "Church" and the audience went home high. Wonderful night.

Spamalot

Last nights performance of Spamalot, a benefit for the Actors Fund of America, was the best thing I've seen in a long time. It has grown an awful lot since previews. Everyone was original except Lancelot, Hank Azaria was replaced by the very funny Alan Tudyk.
David Hyde Pierce, was good, but the weakest of the featured performers. His comedy is so subtle that it doesn't read on the stage sometimes. Sitting up so close gave an opportunity to see alot of the little gestures and small double takes that he was known for on Frasier.
Tim Curry has settled into his role beautifully and his timing is perfect. He really centers the show.
Chris Seiber, who we met at the party after, was hysterical, and Sara Ramirez was mesmerising. Her role as the Lady of The Lake will go down as one of the great Broadway female performances of all times.
And what a house. I felt like I was at an award show. Mike Nichols was sitting a few seats down from us with Jeffrey Tambor. Mark Kudish, Charlotte Raye, Jill Clayburgh, Brad Oscar, Frances Sturhagen and 80 year old Joyce Randolph, Trixie from the Honeymooners.
During intermission, Bill had a chat with Delta Burke while I talked with Marsha Mason. Huh? How does this happen?
We were invited to the party after the show at John's and the introductions were staggering. Christian Borle, who gave a terrific performance, was therewith his girlfriend Sutton Foster. Wow, meeting her was very cool.
Had a nice talk with the choreographer, Casey Nicholaw. Funny and sweet man.
Spent quite a bit of time with Christine Ebersole and Bill Maloney.
The highlight of the night was spending most of the party with Eddie Pisapia and Tim Pinckney. The just bought a house in Maplewood and had some very funny renovation stories. Tim is so connected to all the theater people through his work with the Actors Fund, that they all kept coming up to our table throughout the night to say hi. Who needs to mingle. "Bill and Ed, this is Sutton, Bill and Ed, this is...", and so on. And they are such nice guys. Great couple.
Wonderful night.