Lisa Edelstein
ROWLEY HEAVEN --- I was sitting at The Stage at Lincoln Center Friday night waiting for the start of the Cynthia Rowley Spring 2012 show, when all of a sudden Lindsay Lohan ran out and sat in the row in front of me. Needless to say, the paps went ballistic. I hadn't been so close to one of these vortex-moments in quite some time and it was indeed a bit … blinding, shall we say? Lohan joined other bold-faced names like, actress Lisa Edelstein (TV's House); Kelly Rutherford; stylist Philip Bloch; gad fly-writer Jeffrey Slonim; and TV-talking head Alexa Chung, front and center. These fashion-weeks are always interesting, not only for the celebrity-factor, but for the continuing works of these designers. Spring 2012 is still a ways off, but it's always fascinating the see what's coming up the pipeline. Known for what the New York Times has called flirty, vibrantly colored dresses and tops in a wispy material, that have a whiff of the carefree, simple spirit ... Rowley didn't disappoint this time at all. In fact, as a veteran of several of her shows, I found this collection to be among her most vibrant ... and distinctive. It was, positively glowing with vibrant colors and design. Curiously enough, the makeup and hair on her runway models was flawlessly perfect too, evidencing a carefree , yet prepared look. A look that while may seem totally natural … if you're in the know, you know for sure took more than enough time to perfect … right? Rowley launched her line in the early 80's with $3,000 in seed money from one of her grandmothers. Several months later she held a fashion show in her apartment, inviting every important fashion editor, as well as Andy Warhol (who showed!), cementing her imminent success. She's really one of the key fashion innovators in our time and this year's show was indeed one of her best ever.****
Cindy AdamsDEAD LETTER FILE --- The last few weeks have seen stories in the media of the imminent demise of regular postal service; Friday's Cindy Adams column was priceless! I've been in the same midtown-office space for almost 25 years now and regular postal service for me stopped some five years ago. I used to get mail every day; now, it seems as if it's down to two days and maybe on the weekends. The regular carriers, some of who I got to know on a first name-basis, have long been let go or pensioned-out and replaced by youngsters. I think the powers that be have only themselves to blame; first, for not keeping up with the times, and secondly, for putting forth just as nasty an impression as possible. Have you been to the post offside lately and tried to speak to someone in the know? Cold and as unfriendly as possible … it's positively tomb-like! I called the main office several years back to inquire why I had not received any mail … and, was kept on hold for minutes. I finally hung up 10 minutes later. Letterman had a funny Top ten list on this a week or so back, and one of the answers for saving the post office was: Invent a stamp that licks back! Funny … but, I bet you 'd have a hard time finding more than five people who'd want to do anything for this archaic institution. Hate to say it: but, they deserve whatever happens to them … they did their best to earn it. Their pension checks should ALL be mailed!
****
GORDON LIGHTFOOT --- Going to see Canada's Gordon Lightfoot Monday night at BB King's. When I was in college, Lightfoot was a mainstay on the pop-music-charts back then, as well as radio. His songs, “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown,” “Rainy Day People” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” were not only huge radio hits, but terrifically crafted works. He has been referred to as Canada's greatest songwriter, and, internationally, as a folk-rock legend. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Elvis Presley; Richie Havens; Johnny Cash; Bob Dylan; Judy Collins; Barbra Streisand; John Mellencamp; Toby Keith; The Dandy Warhols; Glen Campbell; Anne Murray; and, Sarah McLachlan. I lost track of him years ago, but am looking forward to the performance. We'll report back!
****
****
GORDON LIGHTFOOT --- Going to see Canada's Gordon Lightfoot Monday night at BB King's. When I was in college, Lightfoot was a mainstay on the pop-music-charts back then, as well as radio. His songs, “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown,” “Rainy Day People” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” were not only huge radio hits, but terrifically crafted works. He has been referred to as Canada's greatest songwriter, and, internationally, as a folk-rock legend. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Elvis Presley; Richie Havens; Johnny Cash; Bob Dylan; Judy Collins; Barbra Streisand; John Mellencamp; Toby Keith; The Dandy Warhols; Glen Campbell; Anne Murray; and, Sarah McLachlan. I lost track of him years ago, but am looking forward to the performance. We'll report back!
****
Denis LearyRESCUED --- Last week heralded the show's finale (after 7 seasons) of Denis Leary's frank, often brilliant show Rescue Me on f/x. I had stopped watching the show a few seasons back; with Leary's almost non-stop self-flagellation antics running a bit flat on me. I think he's brilliant; but, he does wear you down; almost like Richard Lewis in his heyday. That said, the closing was more of the same; but, the last segment featured a speech where his character Tommy Gavin greeted a slew of new recruits. It was ... spellbinding, and as the scene closed, it eyeballed a view of the new buildings at Ground Zero. Compelling ... without a doubt. Well done all.
****
****
DANIELLE DEASE CORRECTION -- In our missive last time on rising performer, 14-year old Danielle Dease ... the gremlins hit upon us and made the proper name of the her producer disappear! It's Dan Guerrie ... and, what a terrific job indeed! Go Dan!
****
****
Cliff RobertsonRIP CLIFF ROBERTSON --- Hollywood legend Cliff Robertson passed over the weekend at age 88. He may well be best remembered by today's audiences as Peter Parker's Uncle Ben (in all 3 Tobey McGuire Spider Man movies), but in Hollywood, he'll be best remembered as the individual who brought down then movie mogul-David Begelman in 1977. The actor discovered that his name has been forged on a $10,000 check, for a fee he didn't earn. He asked, found the truth, and pursued a campaign against Begelman which resulted in him resigning and ironically the actor was blacklisted for years afterwards. Interestingly, Begelman was also accused of embezzling funds from actress/singer Judy Garland in the early 60's. Begelman later committed suicide in L. A. in 1995 at age 73. Robertson also essayed John F. Kennedy in the biopic PT 109 and was personally chosen by the President for the role. For me, it was his movie Charly (1968), as the title character Charly Gordon, which really tugged at your heartstrings. Brilliant movie indeed. He also appeared in such TV-staples as The Twilight Zone; The Outer Limits; Bracken's World; Batman; The Red Skelton Hour; ABC Stage 67; and Ben Casey. He was a great actor; not the bravado of say, a Pacino, but, sensitive, compelling and, very terrific. when he appeared on screen, you could not take your eyes off him. RIP Cliff.
****
****
George ClooneyCLOSING THOUGHT: Have you seen the one-sheet poster for the new George Clooney/Ryan Gosling movie The Idea of March? It's the cover of Time Magazine; with images of both actors seamlessly fused together. It's a politico-romance movie, a la Three Day of the Condor (one of the best ever!) and, I imagine, the poster purports to shows both sides of two very different characters. Beguiling indeed!
Photos By: Sara De Boer/RD/Kabik/Dziekan/Orchon/Retna
Photos By: Sara De Boer/RD/Kabik/Dziekan/Orchon/Retna
0 comments:
Post a Comment