[IMG:L]A Nobel Prize-Winning Night
Even if only for a brief stretch, it takes great stamina and endurance to moonlight as a celebrity party swinger, while encountering unforeseen challenges. One must weigh timing and approach in every instance.
Having already prevailed over many-a-difficult door scenarios, I felt confident and prepared to attend the next bash on my quickly dwindling party list. Unlike all past shindigs, I made an intentional early appearance at NYC’s exclusive star lounge, Tenjune, to catch the start of the red carpet action at the premiere of The Nobel Son. A thrilling ransom drama, directed by Randall Miller, the prospect of meeting Nobel Son’s all-star ensemble cast left me quivering in eager anticipation.
Pleasantly surprised to encounter a well-organized red carpet event, I embraced the new publicity regime, and waited patiently for arrivals. Anxious director Miller paced back and forth, while making pleasant small talk and posing for photos. Along the narrow cobblestone streets, imposing black SUV’s, with tinted windows of course, circled the Meatpacking district to make discreet celebrity drop offs.
[IMG:R]The nimble actress Mary Steenburgen arrived first, with her supportive, poised, silver-haired husband Ted Danson. Beautiful and radiant, she stood by his side in an elegant, draped, floor-length red dress. Danson observed his wife in admiration from the sidelines, as she made her rounds with the press.
Making a dual debut at the Tribeca Film Festival this year, the sharp Steenburgen also appeared in a much-buzzed indie, Numb, starring and produced by Matthew Perry. Apparently, the hot Tribeca 2007 celeb trend: star in at least two indie films–and be committed to promoting each of them!
Next to roll on to the carpet was the often melancholy, theatrically gifted actor Alan Rickman. Caught in a moment of surrealism, I found myself intimated, enchanted and slightly confused, all at once, by Rickman’s specialty English humor. When asked to describe his Tribeca Film Festival experience, he confessed that is was “personal and manageable–and about film rather than prostitution.” Alan, forgive me for having asked that one but, huh?? Alright, so both his star power and outstanding talent were enough to excuse him.
[IMG:L]Moving on, next actor to pop on the scene was intriguing Alpha Dog alum Shawn Hatosy. Exuding a boyish charm, the incredibly sweet, handsome and talented actor left me totally impressed. With his pregnant wife standing by, Hatosy gained major brownie points in my book, by exhibiting his genuine sincerity and humility. Obviously a young actor in high demand, Hatosy confessed that while choosing to collaborate on Nobel Son, he “read a lot of scripts, but this one jumped out [at him]… It was a great character, very challenging and a great opportunity, so I’m glad it worked out.” His innate gift will undoubtedly land him many more exciting roles in his bright future.
The next actor who strutted down the red carpet, left me scratching my head. A very talented, nice, but random Bill Pullman, also starring in two Tribeca films–the other being You Killed Me–surprised me with his unusual personality. On second thought, most creative people have some strangeness going on. It is the secret ingredient of talent and success. Other than disclosing his role in Nobel Son as “an FBI agent with a complicated agenda,” our chat about the film and him got lost, somewhere, in translation. I was admittedly relieved when we finally moved on from our blurry conversation, and refocused on the positive: the after party in Tenjune.
[IMG:R]Although the red carpet premiere had gained momentum with the continuous flow of exciting stars, it wasn’t enough to subdue my shivering–I was now hungry and it was freezing! I relied on my imagination and personal reserve of adrenaline to promote body heat, but had to look no further upon the next red carpet arrival! The appearance of the film’s co-star, super hot Bryan Greenberg was enough to warm the worst case of frostbite. Despite my struggle to stay focused, I successfully maintained my professional outward composure.
Looking all too fine, and emitting just the right level of cool, the causal Greenberg stood in his loose jeans, wearing a newsboy cap; his sex appeal, however, leapt out by that unique way in which he furrows his trademark eyebrows. The actor/musician’s congenial personality made him that much more attractive.
Greenberg praised his fellow cast members with a special shout out to Rickman and Hatosy. When asked why he was drawn to the film, Greenberg noted, “it was great chance for me because I never got to show these kinds of colors. I‘ve done lighter, romantic comedy stuff, so I wanted something more edgier, darker.” Speaking of ‘romantic comedy’, my mind couldn’t help but drift-off to delicious images of his chiseled body in last year’s Prime. Lucky Uma!
At last, we wrapped-up outside, and made our way into the warm celebration at Tenjune. Engrossed by the lingering aroma of mini cheeseburgers, courtesy of STK, the hip restaurant right above, the first priority was to finally fulfill my carnivorous cravings. Accessorizing one hand with a delicious cheeseburger, and the other with a Skyy Blue vodka cosmo, I slowly got into my groove. Consumed with the sublime vibe of this after party, I absorbed and swayed to the sexy beats spun by a super cool DJ in a glorified booth.
While roaming around to check-out the hip crowd, I was yanked and seated on one side of the VIP couches. Tenjune’s elite section was an elevated half-oval design that encased the main dance floor. The film’s leading lady, Eliza Dushku had arrived fashionably late, so I was granted a few moments of interview time with her inside. The swift, accommodating publicist whisked me over to the starlet, in one full swoop.
[IMG:L]The beautiful Dushku was radiant, dressed in a sexy, short, snug, black number, complimented with candy red stained lips. Her positive personality revealed much in displaying her drive and assertion needed to land this part, perfectly suited for her. She declared, “I auditioned really hard for the movie. I brought my own props to my audition, and let them know how badly I wanted the role.”
Mission accomplished. Having now spoken to all of the cast, I finished off with the sparkling Dushku to allow her to get back to her family, friends and cast with whom she apparently shared a great camaraderie.
Making my way to an overcrowded bar, I helped myself to a second fresh, fruity cosmo concoction, contemplated indulging on my third mini-cheeseburger, and temporarily snapped back into reality–before falling prey, once again, to the persuasive pretty girls, serving an endless supply of protein on a platter.
Getting lost in the splendor of the night, I fed off the divine energy and decided to capture some of the surrounding beauty with some party pics. I also took advantage of the opportunity to create permanent visual stimuli—for those night I’d be back hat home, reminiscing on all things Nobel.
Enraptured in the allure of a memorable evening, I got snapshots with cutie Hatosy and sexy Greenberg. It was a perfect end to a sensational and intoxicating event. Feeling like the cat who swallowed the canary, I pranced around with a sly smile and mingled some more before making my exit.
Since most of the cast had already departed in the final hour of the party, I made my ‘good-bye’ rounds to the few still standing including dreamy Greenberg, and went off on my way, back to reality, while immersed in deep, happy thoughts.
Stay tuned for my finale at The Air I Breathe premiere after party.
Tribeca Film Festival Nightlife: The After-Parties – Part I
Tribeca Film Festival Nightlife: The After-Parties – Part II
