Queen For a Night

Broadway favorite Jeff McCarthy plays Grace’s father…

…while the superb Linda Balgord plays her arch-rival, Queen Elizabeth.

Among the first-nighters were Tony Award winner Joan Allen, who will soon be seen in the films Good Sharma with Billy Connolly and The Bourne Ultimatum with Matt Damon…

…funny lady Fran Drescher, who will guest star on the new NBC-TV series Thank God You’re Here….

…stage and screen leading man Patrick Wilson, who’s showing off his assets in a frequently aired GAP commercial with Claire Danes…

…three-time Tony Award nominee Dee Hoty, last seen on Broadway in Mamma Mia!…

…Mark Morris, one of the world’s greatest modern dance choreographers…

…and the wonderful Irish-American actor Gabriel Byrne.

On Tuesday night, the ageless singing sensation Keely Smith (second from right) returned to New York to make her debut at the Café Carlyle. After the performance, she was joined by friends Karen Akers, Tovah Feldshuh, and Jamie deRoy.

On Monday evening, the National Arts Club honored the creative team behind the musical Grey Gardens. Here’s the celebrated documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, whose film of the same title provided the basis for the hit show.

Also honored that night were Grey Gardens lyricist Michael Korie, composer Scott Frankel, director Michael Greif, and librettist Doug Wright.

Two of the show’s stars, Matt Cavenaugh and Erin Davie, were on hand to help provide entertainment for the evening.

On Friday, April 6, Boys’ Town of Italy held its annual charity gala at the Pierre Hotel. Among the notable attendees were songwriter/socialite Denise Rich, Tony Award winners Liliane Montevecchi and Tommy Tune, and Grammy Award winner Patti LaBelle.