A
step back and a step forward to Hollywood tradition
and the Geffen
Playhouse!!
A trip to
Beverly Hills proved facinating. A step back
into childhood memories. Visits a long time
ago to my grandparents home on Roxbury Drive.
I remember
as a kid staying with my grandparents in their
cool Tudor style home. Pretty stained glass
windows, velvety moss grasses gardens, citrus
trees in the back and my grandfathers collection
of books.
I also remember
baking cookies and having to go to their neighbors
to borrow sugar. Something unheard of today
with the level of security going on.
Other changes
are subtle. Even bigger homes replacing really
large homes.
Fancy cars,
fancy restaurants and fancy stores are everywhere.
Places so famous with movie star aura that they
have become famous themselves.
One such
place is the Beverly Hills Hotel (1800-283-8885
or www.thebeverlyhillshotel.com ) on Sunset
Boulevard. A pink palace of perfection.
The Beverly
Hills Hotel is a pink Spanish Castle tale set
amidst abundant green landscaping.
You are greeted
by valets who are expedient and courteous. The
check in fast and friendly...... but the rooms.
Sumptuous!!!
The first
thing you notice about your hotel room is quiet.....
The whole place is quiet.
Rooms are
subtly decorated with inviting seating. My room
had a view of the side residential street. Even
near Sunset Boulevard it was perfectly quiet.
The drapes were thick, blocking all light out
for sleeping. The bathroom had pale pink marble,
hair dryer, huge bath tub and separate shower.
The clothing
closet was well thought out with a safe and
automatic light when you open the door.
Had a minor
problem with the tub seal. I called for someone
to fix it. I must have waited a whole 7 minutes
before a polite service man showed up. He fixed
the problem in 30 seconds.
Things to
do at the Beverly Hills Hotel include their
logo shop. Full of fun things..... even large
pink ceramic dining bowls. You can now visit
it online.
There is
a complete workout gym that is very clean and
fresh smelling. If you need a break from the
latest workout equipment, there are numerous
glossy magazines and freshly sqeezed orange
juice and grapefruit juice for your respite.
One of my
favorite things to do at the hotel is to take
a dip in the pool. It's beautiful. The blue
water contrasts nicely with the chaise lounges
surrounding the poolside. There are cabanas
awaiting your reservation and views of the gardens
and the pink hotel to the blue sky are there
for all.
An eager
pool attendant will take care of your chaise,
towels and any other need. A pool restaurant
is at one end. A large jacuzzi and wall fountain
at the other.
Other cool
things to do are to go SHOPPING! The Beverly
Hills Hotel makes it easy with complementary
limo service to nearby Rodeo Drive. Other shopping
or driving arrangements can be made of course.
The hotel
has 2 other great places to dine besides the
pool terrace.
One is the
famous Polo Lounge. This place is a trip. Full
of Hollywood deals, stars and fabulous food
and service. The menu is so perfect and so is
the service.
I had the
American breakfast. Freshly squeezed sweet orange
juice, freshly brewed and pressed coffee, lightly
whipped scrambled eggs with apple smoked bacon......
You get the idea. The service was so good I
felt like the most special person on earth.
For dinner
I had caesar salad prepared table side followed
by steak tartare, again prepared table side.
The waiter was great and knew his dishes. He
politely tailor made each dish to the amount
of spice that I desired.
The night
before, I went to the first annual Backstage
at the Geffen event. What a fabulous fundraiser
and Playhouse.
A quick 8
minute car ride and I was in Westwood at the
Geffen Playhouse event.
The Geffen
Playhouse was created 7 years ago by David Geffen
and other community members to provide a great
stage for theater and community involved theater
center for children. The former Masonic Temple
is a cool setting.
So was the
event. I learned about the event from Jessica
Padilla who used to work for the La Jolla Playhouse
and now works for the Geffen Playhouse.
The Geffen's
star quality starts with the ones who love to
play there.
For this
evening, Annette Bening and Jason Alexander
were the Honorary Co-Chairs.
The evening
began with a lovely supper under the stars from
Tanino Ristorante. Stars posed on the red carpet
and made their way to greet friends of the Geffen.
The show
began with a number from "Chorus Line".
The cast, petite, charming and talented scene
stealers from Debbie Allen's Dance Academy in
L.A...... Debbie Allen has performed before
at the Geffen Playhouse.
Also performing
were Peter Bonerz, Kevin Anderson and Amy Pietz,
with a scene from "the Producers",
Dana Delany and Kevin Kilner performed a scene
from "California Suite", Neil Simon
enthralled all with just being there and then
added stage anecdotes, Bruce Vilanch told the
most humourous Tallulah Bankhead story, Annette
Bening and Jason Alexander performed a scene
from "All in the Timing" which was
hilarious, Jason Alexander sang at the piano,
Richard Benjamin chimed in with more fun anecdotes,
Martin Short, Alfre Woodrad, Rita Wilson (yes,
Tom Hanks wife) Dana Delaney and Peter Bonerz
performed a scene from "The Actor's Nightmare",
David Hyde related interesting stories, Peter
Falk joined in with more stories and the finale.....
a trio of students from UCLA's School of theater,
film and television sang a song from Stephen
Sondheim's "Company".
If you are
wondering why you weren't there, I am too .......
it was fantastic with over $90,000 raised for
educational outreach programs to kids......
to learn more about the Geffen Playhouse, check
them out on the web....... they are great!!!!
A not to
miss Geffen's play is "The Odd Couple"!!!
Make sure
to say hi to Jessica Padilla, Randy Arney and
Gilbert Cates of the Geffen Playhouse!!
Copyright
Margo Schwab 2002. All rights protected.
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