ALL ABOUT BEBE AND LAW & ORDER

I guess we all have our list of "favorites" and sometimes we cross that line into obsession - I can now admit I am obsessed by the phenomenon that is Law & Order. Since I had a night off from rehearsal I was over the moon to hear that there would be a special cross-over 2-hour special with Law & Order SVU and the new Law & Order Trial by Jury. It didn't hurt that the story line was fascinating and guest starred Alfred Molina, Rita Moreno & Angela Lansbury! It was a brilliant episode. I am constantly impressed by the stories & consistent dedication to great acting that features the talents of Jerry Orbach, Mariska Hargitay & Sam Waterston. I was so sad when I heard that series regular & Broadway legend Jerry Orbach passed away and I wouldn't hear any new wisecracks from Detective Lennie Briscoe. What an amazing talent.

I love three out of the four shows currently airing (I don't really care for Criminal Intent) but I am especially head over heels fascinated by Trial By Jury. At first I was ambivalent about watching it since it stars Bebe Neuwirth. (who is coincidentally currently performing here in SF!)

I should explain: A few years ago, when she was in town doing Threepenny Opera for ACT I had to go see it. I was a huge fan, I mean she was Lilith from Cheers & Velma from Chicago! Turns out her performance was just o.k. and not really outstanding (although Lisa Vroman stole the show =+) but I still waited by the stage door after the show to say hello and maybe get a picture, which is something I loved doing when I was younger. She signed my playbill but when I asked her If I could take a picture with her she hastily replied "You know what? I don't do pictures but thanks for asking." It was the first time that an "idol" (and I use this word lightly here) refused to take a silly photo with a star-struck admirer. This was certainly not the case with stars like Kathleen Turner, Elaine Stritch, Betty Buckley, Kim Cattrall, Faye Dunaway or even Liza Minelli. In retrospect I probably wouldn't put Bebe in that category anyway so maybe it was just as well.

Am I still bitter? Absofuckinglutely! And even though I always practice "the elephant never forgets" philosophy (go ahead: ha, ha) I am a lot more mellow now (I think!) and can say that she is brilliant on Trial by Jury. How people can change...c'est la vie!

=+)

M.