By Andrew Poretz . . .
Photos by Melissa Griegel Photography (www.griegelphoto.zenfolio.com)
Theater Pizzazz was on the scene to cover the Al Hirschfeld Foundation’s cocktail party and opening reception for Herschfeld’s Sondheim, a poster book of Al Hirschfeld caricatures related to the late Stephen Sondheim. The event took place in the Oak Room, once a legendary cabaret room, giving it a special patina of glamour. Guests were presented with a copy of the book, a collection of deluxe oversized 11 x 14-inch Hirschfeld posters. Authored by Al Hirschfeld Foundation’s Creative Director David Leopold, it is available in bookstores everywhere. (The poster book was recently reviewed for Theater Pizzazz by Alix Cohen. See HERE.)
The event also celebrated the launch of a new exhibition, Strokes of Genius: Hirschfeld at the Algonquin, which started on October 9th and runs to September 20, daily from noon – 7 pm, featuring original drawings and hand signed limited edition prints from the worlds of the stage, screen, and concert hall. All artwork is available for purchase. The exhibition at The Algonquin marks the first New York City gallery exhibition of Al Hirschfeld’s work in over a decade.
Present at the party were show biz luminaries, including John Leguizamo, Charles Busch, Danny Burstein, Len Cariou, Vianne Cox and Jackie Hoffman, several of whom appear in Hirschfeld’s drawings. The bar featured a cocktail made with Dorothy Parker Gin, a nice touch. (The brilliant Parker, of course, was known for her witty bon mots while holding court at the Algonquin Round Table lunches more than a century ago.)
Guests were also treated to a brief performance of Sondheim tunes by the bon vivant couple Eric Comstock and his wife, Barbara Fasano, in the lounge.
