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Sundance 2009

I just returned from nearly a week long trip to Sundance where we debuted a wonderful new film called ADAM with Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Amy Irving, Frankie Faison and myself in a film written and directed by my friend Max Mayer and produced by another dear friend Leslie Urdang.

Adam

Adam

I had high hopes for this little movie after seeing it last month. It’s an exciting thing when a wonderful script becomes a wonderful movie and especially exciting when it has a chance to find an audience. Fox Searchlight, the best in the Indie business with films like THE WRESTLER, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, JUNO, SIDEWAYS and others has picked up worldwide rights to ADAM and will distribute it theatrically in 2009. In what seems to be a continuing theme of revisiting places and people. At dinner during the festival, I had the great, good fortune to be seated near some of my film family from over the years: Claire Danes and Rose Byrne have been my daughters, Jon Tenney, a cousin. The beautiful and talented Erica Alexander whom I’ve known since she was a beautiful and talented little girl. Charlyane Woodard, an extraordinary solo theatre artist, and I made our Broadway debut together in HAIR. If I go on anymore, it’ll sound odd. Suffice to say, it was a small world in Sundance.

Speaking of film family: also at Sundance was a special 20th anniversary screening of “sex, lies & videotape” which Andie McDowell, Laura San Giacomo, Steven Soderbergh and myself attended. Everybody looked great and the movie really held up with time – although tame in comparison to what is available to all on the net.

After seeing the movie again for the first time in 20 years I realize better than ever why so many people thought I was such an asshole – it was a great part to play. After the film was released, my wife and I were having dinner in LA right next to Sean Penn who graciously congratulated me on my performance and said “I wanted to meet the only other guy in Hollywood hated more than me.” I was in good company.

Mira Rostova

Mira Rostova, an extraordinary acting teacher, died on January 28 2009 at the age of 99. I worked with Mira for almost 25 years and on many roles. She had a unique method for acting and script interpretation that had its roots in several of the greatest Russian, European and American traditions. We both studied with Bobby Lewis who started the Actors Studio – only 40 years apart. I don’t know whether I learned more from her about acting or about life. She was certainly one of the most important people in my life. Here’s the New York Times obituary.

AARP Inspire Awards

AARP Magazine (the largest circulation of any magazine in the world! Who knew?) named is INSPIRE AWARD winners this year, and I was one of them. Continuing the theme of reunions and surprising connections, Glenn Close was also an Inspire Award winner. We worked together for Mike Nichols in Tom Stoppard’s THE REAL THING and Glenn is currently doing DAMAGES with Rose Byrne. The world continues to shrink.

It was humbling and very moving to be in the company of the other winners and to hear their stories and what they’ve done for their communities and the country. Some like Glenn and Quincy Jones and Alma Powell (Colin Powell’s wife) were well known to many even if they’re considerable charitable efforts weren’t. Here’s a link to AARP to read about the other honorees.

All About Eve

Actors Fund - All About Eve

Actors Fund - All About Eve

Had a truly wonderful experience doing a reading on Broadway of ALL ABOUT EVE for the ACTORS FUND with Brian Bedford, Zoe Caldwell, Jessica Cummings, Joel Grey, Angela Lansbury, Cynthia Nixon, Steve Ross, John Slattery, myself, and Jennifer Tilly, directed by John Erman. It doesn’t get much better than that. A lot of love all around and fun.