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| The 1993 Tony Awards Afterward |
| "Tony
taker McAnuff had enough of fuss" By Burl Stiff San Diego Union-Tribune, June 13, 1993 Sunday NEW YORK -- "I didn't bring my tickets," Des McAnuff confided when he arrived at the Gershwin Theatre for the 1993 Tony Awards. "So tell us how it goes. We'll be down at the corner in Howard Johnson's." But Des and his wife, actress Susan Berman, were, of course, admitted without having to produce their tickets, and Des, of course, came away with one of the night's top prizes -- the Tony for Best Director of a Musical. His was one of five awards earned by "The Who's `Tommy,' " a Broadway phenomenon spawned at the La Jolla Playhouse. Only "Kiss of the Spider Woman" did better, and not by much. Des admitted he's weary of the hoopla that comes with a Broadway smash. "We opened more than a month ago, and the first part is OK -- but now it's enough already! I want to get back to work. I miss being in rehearsal, in design meetings." He said he had prepared a speech accepting the special regional Tony award to La Jolla Playhouse, "but I didn't rehearse anything else. Because I don't think I'm going to win." Happily, he was wrong. Supporting cast La Jollans in New York for the Tonys included Dorothy and Harry Johnston (Dorothy literally jumped for joy when McAnuff was announced as Best Director), Amy Carson-Dwyer and Terrence Dwyer (he's managing director of the La Jolla Playhouse), Robert Blacker (he's associate artistic director), and Playhouse benefactor David Copley. (Copley's New York agenda included dinner at Grenouille with international bon vivant Alecko Papamarkou and lunch at Harry Cipriani with cabaret star Bobby Short.) San Diegans in New York but not for the Tonys included Shelia and Larry Lawrence and Jenny and Sid Craig, here to catch the Belmont Stakes, and Kay North, Donis Lovett and Linda Eves, here to do the town. Some of the standouts in the tony Tony crowd were Kathleen Raitt (John's former wife), Altovise Davis (Sammy's widow), restaurateur Bob Nahas with costume designer Florence Klotz (she won a Tony for her "Spider Woman" creations), nominee Lynn Redgrave, nominee Stephen Rea, and nominee Natasha Richardson, a vision in pink organza. Seated a row in front of the Harry Johnstons, nominee Joe Mantello ("Angels in America") gnawed a red licorice twist when the televised awards show broke for commercials. Big winner Chita Rivera ("Kiss of the Spider Woman") wore a black sheath by Christian Lacroix, a short and snappy wig much like the bob immortalized by silent-film star Louise Brooks, and a knockout rhinestone dog collar borrowed from copycat jeweler Kenneth Jay Lane. Diamond czar Harry Winston had offered to send over Something Suitably Important for Chita to wear on the telecast, but she went for the fakes instead. She also declined Giorgio Armani's offer of a beaded jacket (ticketed at $15,050), but "Spider Woman" director Harold Prince said yes to an Armani tuxedo. Not beaded. For Chita, it was a night of divided loyalties and mixed emotions. Her daughter, Lisa Mordente, is the assistant choreographer for "Tommy," and Lisa will marry Donnie Kehr of the "Tommy" company in July. (Lisa's mother and father met while they were appearing in the original Broadway production of "West Side Story.") Liza Minnelli will be one of the bridesmaids. At Tony time, Liza wore assorted black outfits from Donna Karan, on stage and off. (After the awards, Liza and pianist Billy Stritch looked in on a "Spider Woman" victory party at the Symphony Cafe, then capped the night with their entourage at P.J. Clarke's.) Nominee Bernadette Peters was barely contained by a black Bob Mackie design reminiscent of Sargent's "Portrait of Madame X," and Mercedes Ruehl was a far cry from Yonkers in Valentino's sensational black bra, latticed rhinestone pullover and ruffled organza pants. Affairs to remember When the last trophy had been presented, the crowd ambled down the street to Times Square for the traditional Tony Supper Ball at the Marriott Marquis. Most of the big names made a token appearance, stood still for the paparazzi, then hightailed it to smaller, livelier parties at restaurants and clubs. There was no reason to linger. The ball was a lackluster affair -- but the bag of take-home stuff was a lalapalooza. Among the souvenirs were stuffed animals, Tony Award key rings, assorted toiletries, hair dryers, cassettes and CDs. The "Tommy" celebration -- noisy, exuberant and exhilarating -- packed a theater district club called Laura Belle from 9 p.m. Sunday till 3:30 Monday morning. (Back home in La Jolla, Playhouse partisans were celebrating at Sluggo's.) "Phantom of the Opera" Michael Crawford was one of the 500 revelers who turned up at the Laura Belle bash. In the wee hours, "Tommy" composer and co-author Pete Townshend gave the victory party a fitting finale when he hopped onto the bandstand with Michael Cerveris and Donnie Kehr to play, sing and shout "Pinball Wizard." Add that to your list of Historic Moments in Showbiz. Copyright |
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