Socialising

Our dear friend Jacki Weaver (two-time Oscar nominee!!!) is in town briefly so we arranged to meet for lunch in the Meatpacking District. We also brought along a surprise guest, another Aussie actress and dear mate Susan Lyons.

And a grand time was had by all, delicious food, laughs a-plenty, gossip shared and reputations destroyed.

And last week we were the guests of Aussie opera star Daniel Sumegi (photobombing left) and his gorgeous partner Ta'u Pupu'a, also a stunning opera singer, at their beautiful Central Park West apartment.

Peter Pan in Concert

With a 26 piece orchestra impeccably playing the original Broadway score by Moose Charlap, Carolyn Leigh, Comden & Green and Jule Styne, and hosted by the inimitable Charles Busch, this benefit concert for the Transport Theatre Company turned out to be a joyous surprise.

A huge cast of Broadway performers sang the score (including 11 different Peter Pans and 3 Captain Hooks) and read background anecdotes about the creation of the original 1954 production starring Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard.

Jeffrey Denman recreated the original Jerome Robbins choreography for Sondra Lee's famous "Indians" number.

I sang "Oh, My Mysterious Lady" with the glorious soprano Alexandra Silber.

More Chicago

TT had the inspiration to take a Gangster Tour of Chicago which turned out to be huge fun.

The big black bus took us to all the famous gangland sights including where the St. Valentine's Day massacre took place. Our tour guide, "Slippery" Sloop, was charming and hilarious. There were even prizes of books and coffee mugs, none of which we won.

We expressly went to Chicago to see Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole in the new musical WAR PAINT (about the famous rivalry between Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden)  which we loved

 but we also found time to see DEATH & HARRY HOUDINI , an entertaining and elaborate magic show, at a gorgeous little theatre on Division Street.

Naturally we paid a couple of visits to the Art Institute to see Seurat's La Grande Jatte

which was like visiting old friends after 30 years of listening to SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.

and we were reacquainted with some other gorgeous pieces.

and we visited two, count 'em two Frank Lloyd Wright houses.

Incidentally, the suburb where FLW built his first home has another celebrity home just around the corner.