This is how it works here at TOTA (Two On The Aisle).  Everywhere I go - YOU go!  Tonight I got to sample my first Broadway Red Carpet and it was a ton of fun.  The only thing missing was you, so let me bring you up to date with all the details.

The occasion was the opening of the Bway play Pygmalion, starring none other than hot young super celeb Claire Danes (I love Claire Danes from the old days when she shot to stardom on the television show My So Called Life!).  This wasn't any ordinary opening night; this was Ms. Danes' Broadway debut.  I wonder if she had butterflies. 

Speaking of butterflies - the show's logo has a butterfly in it because the play is about the transformation of a young English girl from street urchin to regal royalty.  The story might sound familiar because the play was later adapted into a hit musical (say it with me) My Fair Lady.  The theater world is anxious to see if Ms. Danes will come out of her cocoon as a stunning butterfly and wow "the Broadway" or if she will emerge a moth and eat a hole in that favorite sweater with the brown stripe that you got two years ago and that you loved so much (I digress).

Enough about the show, let's get to the important stuff - the RED CARPET.  As I said, this was my first opening working the "press line" and I was over the moon (that is just a figure of speech).  I got to the theater at around 6:00pm and took my spot behind a horde of photographers or as I like to call them "the paps" (that is short for paparazzi).  The street was jammed with people all trying to get a look at the arriving stars.  I quickly made friends with Rosie (mom) and Maria (her daughter) from New Jersey.  It was mom's birthday and they were having a "girls night out in the city".  They were uber-sweet and most of our conversations went like this.  Rosie: Who's that?  Me: That's Marian Seldes.  Maria: Who's that?  (depressing).  The three of us had a great time; spotting celebs, critiquing outfits and spreading gossip.  We learned a lot too.  Here are just some of the things I learned at my first Red Carpet on "the Broadway".  I learned...

Getting Someone To Take Your Photo Isn't That Hard:  

It doesn't matter if you are a nobody - if you show up early, wear a sparkly dress and smile A LOT - someone will take your picture.  This actually happened. (I had no idea who the person was - even when she spelled her name for the photogs.)

Pranks Get Old:

The first time some guy screamed "hey look it's Tom Cruise", it was funny.  The 10th time he did it, not so funny!  Although I did chuckle when someone said, "it's Britney and her kids!"

The Most Often Used Words: 

Look. Here. The photographers would scream it over and over. As in, "Blythe Danner. Look.  Here!"  Truth be told, it was very exciting and made me feel very glamorous.

Don't Dawdle: 

If you move too slow on the red carpet you might get hurt.  I witnessed a little old lady get knocked over by an overzealous press agent.  I wish I was exaggerating here, but I am NOT.

Celebs Love "The Broadway": 

The stars came out to support Ms. Danes.  I was dazzled by the talent that paraded into the theater.  We had Broadway royalty such as; Marian Seldes, Fran and Barry Weissler and Dana Ivey.  There were famous movie stars like Blythe Danner (people went CRAZY for Ms. Danner, crazy!).  Broadway darling Christopher Hanke (In My Life and Rent) was there.  Things got very literary when Michael Cunningham arrived (author of The Hours).  Amy Irving and Frances Sternhagen walked the carpet.  Young celebs such as; Mamie Gummer (Meryl Streep's daughter and star of Evening) and Chloe Sevigny (from the HBO show Big Love).  Chloe didn't stop too long for photos because she had just had "oral surgery".  Mamie Gummer looked stunning, a chip off the old block. 

Even Stars Have Good Boyfriends: 

Ms. Danes' boyfriend, Hugh Dancy (star of The Jane Austen Book Club) was there looking nervous and excited.  Rosie (my friend from New Jersey) and I joked that he didn't have flowers with him!  My guess is that the dressing room was filled with bouquets!

Wear Something Great: 

My award for Best Dressed easily goes to Chole Sevigny (despite the oral surgery).  She looked stunning in some vintage black and white outfit.  She managed to look totally casual yet completely glamorous.  That young lady has fantastic personal style.

Say Something Smart If They Put A Mic In Your Face: 

One gentleman, when asked why he thought Pygmalion was a story that held up over time said, "The makeover story is the foundation of America."  What?  Are you kidding me?  What does that even mean? 

Then the doors closed and the show started.  We are going to have to wait until the reviews come to find out how things went inside (the buzz is that Ms. Danes is blowing audiences away).  I will have a full report on Monday with a review round-up and some first person opinions of my own. I hope you learned a few things and got a taste for the flavor of the red carpet.  I know I can't wait for the next one!  Until then...

~ See You On The Aisle