Started 4:15 with a dynamite video then a superb reading by Nathan Lane. I enjoyed Liz Smith, Christine Ebersole, Holland Taylor & Lena Hall's presentation, most. Hunter Ryan Herdlicka & Julie Keyes also gave great heartfelt stories. Rob Bowman was pretty terrific, as well. He got so excited in recalling his story of one of his first calls from Elaine, he skipped out of the podiums light to demonstrate the glee he felt. Ended with a rare film of Stritch performing "Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch" in a black box studio with piano. It appeared to have been filmed either during the original run of COMPANY, or else shortly there-after. Alec Baldwin & Cherry Jones were listed in the featuring pgm. list but were only part of a filmed sequence. Lupone was not part of it.
So...her lawyer was there to report that she left with millions. And that she gave it to others & causes. After an afternoon of stories emphasizing her thriftiness, that part kinda tainted her story in my opinion. IMHO, it created conflicting contradictory patterns in her life that also elevated 'money" to too high of a lasting impression. In guess in a capitalistic society, one can't die with just a stellar record of talent & friends & colleagues to speak well of you & still be 'a hero?'
Updated On: 11/17/14 at 08:29 PM