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 Feature  

Ritzy Business

Mario Cantone, Raul Esparza, Debi Mazar, Nathan Lane, Marian Seldes, and other stars help Rosie Perez and the cast of The Ritz celebrate their opening night.

By: Joseph Marzullo; Text by Brian Scott Lipton · Oct 12, 2007  · New York

(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)









The Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of the 1975 comedy The Ritz bowed last night at Studio 54. Kevin Chamberlin -- who stars as straight-guy-on-the-run-in-a-gay-bathhouse Gaetano Proclo -- and playwright Terrence McNally caught up after the show.









(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)






Rosie Perez, who earns many of the evening's biggest laughs for her superb portrayal of talent-challenged singer Googie Gomez, arrived at the party with her boyfriend, actor Ramon Rodriguez.












(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)










Brooks Ashmanskas could get another Tony Award nomination for his hilarious work as the sex-crazed (and sex-starved) Chris in the show.











(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)








The show's supporting cast also includes Ashlie Atkinson as Chamberlin's conflicted wife, Vivian...









(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)









...the amazing Seth Rudetsky, who is absolutely hysterical as a Pippin-loving patron...










(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)








...and former gay porn star Ryan Idol, who makes a memorable appearance as one of the bathhouse's many customers.











(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)








The opening night's star-studded guest list included Tony Award winner Nathan Lane, who has starred in such McNally works as Love! Valour! Compassion!, Lips Together, Teeth Apart, and The Lisbon Traviata.








(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)








Here's the great Marian Seldes, who recently starred in McNally's Deuce on Broadway and co-starred with Lane in the playwright's Dedication, or the Stuff of Dreams at Primary Stages.










(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)









Seldes' great pal and frequent co-star Brian Murray was another of the evening's special guests.







(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)











Among the other celebrants were Raul Esparza, who will return to Broadway next month in a revival of Harold Pinter's The Homecoming and who will guest star on the hit ABC comedy Pushing Daisies...









(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)








...the very funny Mario Cantone, who will reprise his role as wedding planner Anthony in the upcoming Sex and the City movie...











(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)









Tony-winning director (and actor) Walter Bobbie, whose Broadway revival of Chicago will celebrate its 11th anniversary next month...











(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)









...the wonderful Jessica Hecht, who's hoping to return to Off-Broadway in a production of Paula Vogel's play Desdemona...











(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)









...Oscar-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz, whose song "Magic to Do" pops up during The Ritz...










(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)









...and film and television star Debi Mazar, who will be seen in the upcoming film remake of Clare Boothe Luce's classic play The Women.















For TheaterMania's review of The Ritz, click here.









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