I had an incredible experience last night that I feel the need to tell you all about.I had the honor of escorting Ms. Patricia Neal to the theatre and then to dinner last night. Ms. Nea won the oscar for HUD with Paul Newman and may be remembered from roles in Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Subject Was Roses, and dozens of other films and theatrical roles. My friend, David Friedman, ordinarily escorts her out and he asked me to call for him and cancel. When I was on the phone with her, she invited me to join her instead. So of course, I accepted.
I met her at her beautiful UES apartment and after chatting and getting to know each other for a few minutes, we hopped in a car and went to Danny's to see Anna Bergman's cabaret. Anna was fantastic, an incredible soprano that you just don't hear anymore. Before the show started, Ms. Neal introduced me to New York performing legends, Julie Wilson and Baby Jane Dexter, and then one of my heroes approached the table to say hello to Ms. Neal, it was Jerry Orbach and his wife, Elaine. I was in shock...
After the show, Ms. Neal asked me if I would like to join her for dinner...(as if I'm going to say no). So she took me to Sardi's, showed me her picture on the wall and we sat and discussed our lives as celebrity after celebrity stopped to say hello to her. The highlight was meeting the legendary Celeste Holm...at one point I got a little hysterical and just started laughing. Ms. neal asked what was so funny, and I told her that for a quick moment I took a step outside myself and looked at the fact that I was having dinner with Patricia Neal and having a conversation across the next table, with Celeste Holm.
We concluded the evening back on the UES, where she showed me her many awards, including her Oscar statue. What an incredible woman with an amazing story. If you get a chance to see her performances on video and DVD, don't miss out. I was so honored to have had this opportunity.
Hope you are all well and enjoying the wonders in your own world!Love, Jamie
with love from Jamie at 12:46 PM