October 28, 2009

  • Oh, And The Name Drops

    Forgot to mention:  last night, Z-Man and I had comp tickets to a marriage benefit here in SF, at the Palace of Fine Arts.  The cast from the SF production of Wicked featured prominently, and other folks' names were attached, including Vanessa Williams, Margaret Cho, Carol Channing, Lily Tomlin, Valerie Harper, Florence Henderson, Rita Moreno and lots of others. 

    Actually appearing last night were Bruce Vilanch, who was quite funny and read a letter from Harvey Firestein; Patty Duke, who is a) tiny b) but not as tiny as Selene Luna, and c) attached to the SF production of Wicked; Carol Kane, who is awesome and mad, and read a letter from the woman who authored the book to the stage version of Wicked; Lee Meriweather -- yes, that one, Miss America 1955 (which she laughed at hearing out loud), and the original Catwoman from the Adam West Batman movie in the 60s; and, pretty much the reason I went, Selene Luna.

    There were some acts I hadn't heard of or wouldn't have put a name to, including the Barnaby Sisters, who did a wonderfully campy-dykey version of "When the Special Girlfriends";  Ava Garter, an amazing old-school burlesque dancer with feathers and pasties and all; Nicole Parker, formerly of MADtv, who did a very, very funny faux "cabaret star of the 80s" song and act; Celisse Henderson, another Wicked cast member who did a really good drum and rhyme bit about marriage; and some other acts that were enjoyable.

    Favorite quotes:

    "Holiday time is the worst.  There's so much pressure on me to be . . . enchanting."
    -Selene Luna, comedienne (don't call her a midget)

    "I'm sorry I'm laughing so much.  I hadn't heard how they were going to introduce me this evening!"
    -Lee Meriweather, on being introduced as Miss America 1955 and the original Catwoman

    "Somone messed with Patty Duke's box.  Oh, that didn't come out right."
    -Suzanne Whang, remarking that the diminutive Patty Duke's podium elevation was removed from its expected location

    "People stare, yeah, I get it.  But it's the ones who. Keep. Staring.  I just want to go up to them and say . . . 'Only you can see me.  I'm here to help.'"
    -Selene Luna