Feature  

For Openers

Mega-celebs from Elton John to Candice Bergen to Howie Mandel make the scene as Lestat, The Wedding Singer, and The History Boys bow on Broadway.

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

The spring of 2006 is positively buzzing with theatrical activity, and this week alone brought us three high-profile Broadway openings. Last night, The Wedding Singer bowed at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, and an after-party was held at Crobar. Here's Stephen Lynch, who plays the central role of Robbie Hart...

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

...and here's the gorgeous Laura Benanti, who plays the woman with whom Robbie's fated to be mated.

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

Among the notable audience members who made the figurative trip to Jersey with The Wedding Singer were Howie Mandel, star of NBC-TV's hit game show Deal or No Deal...

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

...and Cheyenne Jackson, who was seen on Broadway last season in All Shook Up and who has a major role in the 9/11 movie United 93, opening today.

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

On Tuesday night, Lestat bowed at the Palace Theatre, and the after party was held at the Time Warner Center. Here's Hugh Panaro, who plays the title role...

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

...and here's Carolee Carmello, who plays his mother. (Well, vampires age very well!)

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

Anne Rice, author of the tremendously popular novels upon which Lestat is based, was escorted to the opening by her son Christopher, himself an author of note.

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

Here's Elton John (right), who wrote the music for the show, with his spouse, David Furnish...

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

...and here's another happily married gay couple: Rosie O'Donnell, who will soon be joining the women of ABC-TV's The View, with her better half, Kelli.

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

Other major celebs who turned out for Lestat included rocker/actor Jon Bon Jovi...

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

...and the beautiful pop singer Jewel.

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

Sunday night's opening of The History Boys at the Broadhurst may not have been as star-studded as those pictured above, but director Nicholas Hytner's production of Alan Bennett's play got by far the best reviews of the three shows. Seen here at the after-party at Tavern on the Green are two of the history boys, Samuel Barnett (left) and Dominic Cooper (right), with Stephen Campbell Moore, who plays one of their teachers...

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

...and Richard Griffiths, who brilliantly plays Hector, another of the teachers.

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

The opening was attended by such celebs as singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright...

(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

...and the ever-lovely Candice Bergen, who turned up on the arm of her husband, Marshall Rose.

 

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