If you happened to pass by the Eugene O’Neill theatre on Opening Night, you probably felt pulsating heat from the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Nine. Antonio Banderas and his cast caused quite a stir in this red-hot revival. Among the revelers was Antonio’s wife, Melanie Griffith (soon to star next door to her hubby in Chicago), decked out in a low-cut fire-engine-red gown, and doting on Banderas. When asked how she could stand watching her man onstage with all those gorgeous ladies surrounding, kissing, and gyrating about, Griffith confided to The Sheet, in a girl-to-girl chat, “I know where his heart is. I finally found a man I can feel secure with—you know that isn’t easy for any woman to feel.” We also spotted lovebirds Edie Falco and Stanley Tucci making their first public appearance since Tucci left his wife for Falco. (They were co-starring in Frankie and Johnny when they fell in love.)
Other A-listers included Tippi Hedren (Antonio’s mom-in-law), Chicago producer Marty Richards (fresh from his triumphal closing moments at the Oscars), Richard Gere and Carey Lowell, Caroline Rhea, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, and the outspoken Rosie O’Donnell, who, when asked “Are we winning the war?” stated frankly: “Sure, if you’re watching American television!”
This Mega-Hit also stars the legendary Chita Rivera, Mary Stewart Masterson, sexpot Jane Krakowski (remember Ally McBeal?), who makes a delicious entrance dangling down on a swing; and others, like Saundra Santiago (remember Miami Vice?). Be advised to order tickets early. We expect box office lines dangling well into a long, hot summer!
