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Post by clervaux on Mar 22, 2006 19:19:35 GMT -5
They just added an event to Stephanie's scheduled appearance at the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival for Saturday, April 1st (no, I don't think this is a joke). She'll be doing the first reading of the recently discovered Tennessee Williams play, These Are The Stairs You Got To Watch. Here's a quote from the press release: For more information on the event here's a link to the festival www.tennesseewilliams.net/. I hope that Myrtle can make it to this and file a report.
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Post by Myrtle Groggins on Mar 26, 2006 14:09:42 GMT -5
This is an article that appeared in Friday's Times-Picayune: ------------------------------- Tenn Fest's best friends Friday, March 24, 2006 "It may say on the program that I'm interviewing Stephanie Zimbalist," Rex Reed said, "but I think she's going to interview me; maybe a little of both." Reed, who has a page every week in The New York Observer to cover whatever he wants -- movies, cabaret, theater -- and Zimbalist, the star of the "Remington Steele" TV series now out on DVD, Efrem Zimbalist's daughter and a theater actress/devotee -- "She'd go to theater every night of the week if she could," Reed said -- have been two of the best friends the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival has had. Reed, because he has the "chercest" celebrity stories in the world, provides entree to stars and, once here, gets them to say outrageous things. He has brightened the fest on eight occasions. Zimbalist has "rescued" the fest when celebs got a better gig and canceled at the last minute. This is her fourth visit. "Alec Baldwin brought me here to read Hannah to his Shannon in 'The Night of the Iguana,' " she said. "That led to my doing a full-fledged production of 'Iguana' with my father as Nonno in California, and then we took it to Winnipeg and Manitoba. Dad was a great Nonno, a glorious Nonno! "New Orleans' Williams Festival is unique," Zimbalist said, "because when you're here, you're breathing the aroma of Tennessee's plays. You get it in your bones, you inhabit the soul of his work." Born in Texas but raised in Baton Rouge, Reed says he comes to the festival "because it's a very good way for me to come home. Baton Rouge and New Orleans are home to me. My heart lifts when I'm in New Orleans. I love the festival, and I'll keep coming as long as they need me and send me plane tickets." This time, a film crew will be following him around for a documentary. Asked why he now rarely does the interviews that made him celebrated, Reed said, "The 'stars' today don't interest me. There isn't anybody anymore I want to talk with. I watch the Oscars and think, 'Who are these people?' " Zimbalist will be on the "Performing Tennessee" panel March 31 at 1 p.m. and April 1 at 5:30 p.m., reading from Williams' "These Are the Stairs You Have to Watch." She and Reed will share a "Tete-a-Tete" April 2 at 4 p.m. All three events will be in the Bourbon Orleans Grand Ballroom. Admission is included in festival $50 pass and $20 one-day pass. -------------------------------------------- There was a small black & white photo, but it's one we've seen before. I'm all set, with tickets ordered and all other plans scrapped for the weekend, except for Friday night's trek to Baton Rouge -- after I see Stephanie, of course, then back to the fest on Saturday and Sunday. I'll be attending Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here's a link to a write-up about the fest in today's paper, giving the schedule (no photo of SZ): www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1143356753103860.xml?nolaA writer friend, Rexanne Becnel, was supposed to be involved with Nora Roberts' appearance, but I don't know if she'll still be there since Nora had to cancel. I saw Rexanne yesterday, but we didn't speak of the fest.
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Post by Myrtle Groggins on Mar 26, 2006 14:31:56 GMT -5
Myrtle, Also, would you let us know how the quarter and for that matter, New Orleans, is doing in its ongoing efforts to recover from the devastation left by Katrina? clervaux I don't have to wait until the fest to let you know about the city. It's struggling. Still the biggest ghost town you ever want to see. The Quarter is fairing better than the flooded areas, but business is still lacking. Many of the shops are operating on limited hours, closing very early. Restaurants are still quite "spacious" from the lack of patrons. I haven't been to a crowded place yet! Many of the businesses can't get workers, therefore, shorter hours. Some people are moving back to town and several people I know have completed their home renovations. Others haven't begun. Good thing about the whole situation is that one can cross from the western boundary to the eastern boundary of the city in no time flat. Without hundreds of thousands of people in town, the highways are free of traffic. It's still shocking and sad to drive through the flooded areas and see all the devastation, and even eerier when you realize you're the only one around. They keep telling us to have patience, it'll come back soon, but it can be downright depressing. Even in my neighborhood, there are FEMA trailers in every direction. So many of them. Although, the trailers are a sign of progress. They are a sign that people are able to live on their properties and work on their houses. One major problem in the city of New Orleans is that many lots aren't large enough to accomodate a trailer, so they have to find other places to set all those trailers. It's overwhelming. Thanks for asking. I'm sure the condition of the city will be discussed at the Festival as much as books, theatre, and Tennessee Williams.
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Post by clervaux on Mar 26, 2006 18:45:40 GMT -5
Myrtle, Thanks so much for filling us in how the recovery is going in New Orleans. I think it is so hard to really comprehend the total devastation of the area without having seen it first hand. I gather it's something like what we see in third world countries. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help. I think a trip to Café Du Monde in the French Quarter for beignets ought to be in everyone's travel plans. Here's a link to a recent excellent article from the Frommer's website that talks about what visitors to post Katrina New Orleans can expect: frommers.com/destinations/article.cfm?destid=20&articleid=3419&t=Tourist%20Areas%20in%20New%20Orleans%20RebouI hope that your visit to the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival will boost your spirits as well as bring a lot of visitors to the city. Looking forward to your reports on the events that you attend. clervaux
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Post by Yuliya on Mar 27, 2006 0:09:16 GMT -5
Talents aside, SZ never has had very large melons... Neither did Robyn Williams... If that's the only problem, it's easy to deal with.
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Post by Myrtle Groggins on Mar 27, 2006 21:39:42 GMT -5
From the Frommer link shared by clervaux: "the short version is we came, we saw, we got a roofer." This is such a funny line, it had me giggling throughout the entire article. And it's true!! The article gives a fairly accurate description of the city, although his mention of neutral grounds being a "meridian" to the rest of the country is false. A neutral ground is a MEDIAN to everyone else. They are the lovely grassy areas that separate two opposing lanes of a main street. They got that name from the early days when N.O. became a US city. The French and Spanish and others from the French/Spanish-ruled days lived in the French Quarter and the Americans lived in the newer section of town, which is now the Central Business District. Anyway, Canal Street was the dividing line. There was a large dividing ground in the middle of that street where a canal was supposed to go but never was built (thus the name Canal St). The large dividing ground was known as the Neutral Ground where people from the FQ and the "uptown" American side could congregate and conduct business without fighting. Consequently, every "median" in the area came to be called a "neutral ground". Edited to say: As for the comment about tourism being delayed until 2007, that's ludicrous. The areas that the tourists love are the parts of the city that are undamaged and open for business. So come on down! And just for the record, the unflooded areas have telephone service, electricity, and even mail service. Back to the festival: Everything is a go for me. I'll have a press pass waiting for me, so I'll be able to access anywhere I want to go. The only restriction is that I can't take photos during a theatrical performance -- obviously. I'll let you know how it goes! And I'll share my best photos with you!
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Post by Myrtle Groggins on Mar 27, 2006 21:43:51 GMT -5
Just for the record, I see no reason why "Martha" has to have melons, especially considering that *I* look more like SZ than Liz Taylor. Isn't good acting about talent? Perhaps that's what they had in mind when casting the new Bond.
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Post by clervaux on Mar 28, 2006 14:24:45 GMT -5
Indeed it is and if you think about it, some of Stephanie's and Pierce's best work involved them playing against type.
Looking forward to the reports from our own member of the fourth estate. Have a great time!
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Post by Myrtle Groggins on Apr 3, 2006 0:12:49 GMT -5
Stephanie at the FestivalChatting on Friday before the literary panel discussion: Getting ready for the panel discussion (Friday): All eyes on Stephanie: Stephanie telling a story: Stephanie has a captive audience:
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Post by Myrtle Groggins on Apr 3, 2006 0:33:01 GMT -5
Above are a few pictures from Friday's literary panel "Performing Tennessee". The white blotches on Stephanie's clothing are a little old lady's hair who got in my way. When Stephanie first arrived, I told my daughter "There's Stephanie" and Steph looked in my direction, then she came over to speak to some people sitting two chairs from me. I guess she heard me and thought the people she knew were calling her. She stood about two feet away from me and all I could say was, "Ooowwww, she's so cute!" As you can tell from the photos, she had her hair in a ponytail, so I think that what led to my declaration of "cute". She really looked like a little girl. She's very articulate and quite animated. She makes thousands of facial expressions and when she lets them, her hands fly through the air while she talks. I just love her voice, too! When she arrived, she wasn't wearing the scarf but she put it on right before going on the podium to sit at the table that was set up for the panel. She carries her stuff in a tote bag (a different one each day). More later. It's been four very busy days for me.
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Post by laura on Apr 3, 2006 2:01:43 GMT -5
Oh Myrtle, thank you so much for your report !!!! It's great dreaming through an intermediary ... And I'm sure I'm not the only one in that case, aren't I ? Well, the pics are lovely, just like Stephanie of course, by the way, how much time did it last ? I don't remember and maybe you already told us but was it the first time you saw her ? You must have great memories of those days, you're very lucky ! Thanks again Myrtle. Laura
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Post by sparadra on Apr 3, 2006 2:05:08 GMT -5
Thanks a lot, Myrtle!!! Your pics are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!! That's great you could have seen her and offer us all these nice pics. Stephanie looks beautiful!
Sparadra
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Post by clervaux on Apr 3, 2006 6:11:05 GMT -5
Myrtle, thanks for the great pictures and your report on Friday's panel discussion! I look forward to more of your take on the festival and what other Stephanie anecdotes you have to share. Sounds like you had a great time.
clervaux
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Post by Ace on Apr 3, 2006 14:05:20 GMT -5
MG , sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing it and the photos.
For once SZ didn't sneak in and out of the festival without you knowing in time. This is the first time you've actually caught her down there, yes?
Ace
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Post by Patricia on Apr 3, 2006 22:48:14 GMT -5
Myrtle
Too bad you couldn't have introduced yourself to her as Myrtle Groggins! Would have been a good laugh, I'm sure.
Thanks for posting the pics and info about Stef. Since I live in Canada, I don't get to see much of her work (unless she happens to be on TV) and it's great to hear what she's been up to lately.
I've always loved her and would watch her in just about anything, even though she's always be Laura Holt to me.
I hope you have more to tell us about the event.
Patricia
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Post by curious george on Apr 3, 2006 22:58:28 GMT -5
Never thought of that, but would have loved to have seen her reaction to it.
cg
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Post by Myrtle Groggins on Apr 3, 2006 23:39:19 GMT -5
No, this wasn't the first time. The last time I saw her (maybe 2001), she did a play reading, wearing a blonde wig and a big hat. Then after the reading, she sat down with her friend Linda Hart? (I can't recall her last name) and a local celebrity and spoke about the plays of Tennessee Williams. That time I wasn't able to chat with her or get up close, and I also didn't bring my camera. (kick me) This weekend was great because I saw Stephanie three days in a row. Sadly, not all of my pictures came out. On Saturday night I asked my daughter to check my film of the day's shooting but she refused, saying she didn't want to go to work where the machines were. So I went back on Sunday and made the same errors I made on Saturday. So my picture library is much smaller than anticipated. Good thing I had the digital camera as back up. I was able to get some video. I just have to figure out how to upload them so you can see them. I'm rather new with shooting video so they aren't great but at least decent enough to get the idea. Although on Sunday, I did remember to bring my tripod, so at least the video is steady. On Saturday night, she did a reading of a very short play, with about six or seven others. She was dressed in a dowdy flowered dress that buttoned down the front, a red sweater, black shoes and red socks. She always dresses in character for play readings. All three days she wore her hair in a ponytail. I did a short video of the play reading. After the play, she went around the room talking to people and making plans for dinner. They went to Restaurant August: www.rest-august.com/index1.htmlShe said she would meet everyone there after she changed. It would only be a fifteen minute walk! The restaurant isn't in the French Quarter where we were, but across Canal Street in the Central Business District. She kept calling one gentlemen 'Earl', even though his name is Errol. All of her events were in the Bourbon Orleans Hotel which could use new furniture as their old stuff in the lobby is very worn: www.bourbonorleans.com/I did speak to her for a moment. We shook hands and I told her I was taking photos for the festival and that I was a big fan of hers and her dad's. I said I have friends who love her TV show and she looked shocked and said "That was 20 years ago!" We laughed and said time goes by so fast. I wished her well and told her I'd be photographing her tete-a-tete on Sunday, too. That was about it. Actually, I felt like a stalker, or some crazy lady. She's just a woman who is an actor (a word she uses for female actors and I can really understand how scary it must be at times to have people gawking all the time. I really did try to lay low, although I got the feeling that she knew *somebody* was watching her. lol When they introduced the actors in the play, Stephanie was the only one to get applause when her name was mentioned. It shows how much everyone loves her. Stephanie is also on the festival's Advisory Board. On Sunday, the Tete-a-Tete with Stephanie was very disappointing because Rex Reed hogged the show, with her permission, of course. So we heard much more about him than we did about her. There was no talk about doing TW's plays or doing Blanche or who she would chose for her leading man. She did speak of her musical grandparents, and her parents, her godparents, and mentioned her sister Nancy just once. She was so grateful that her parents never pushed her into marrying and that they never discouraged her from her life's work. She did say her mother wanted Stephanie to be a horsewoman, like herself, so sent Stephanie to learn to ride at a very young age. Stephanie also attended six summers at a place where girls could learn advanced riding, but there was also a superb drama department (I didn't catch the name of the place) so of course, she fell into drama, and from there went straight to Julliard. She did say as a child she wasn't interested in acting, but used to write plays and direct her friends in them but she would tell them to only move their mouths while Stephanie did the dialogue offstage! She wanted full control, although at that time had no desire to be onstage herself. She also said she used to set up the stage, do the costumes, sell the tickets, tear the ticket stubs, etc. The audience was always her family, friends and neighbors. (She must have been a kick. My friends and I used to put on shows for the neighborhood, too, but we all did our fair share. ) After the Tete-a-Tete with Stephanie, they held the finals of the Stella/Stanley shouting match. Stephanie and Rex Reed were two of the judges. The guy who took top prize shouted "FEMA". He was a riot. After it was over, I was outside the hotel waiting for my car, I saw him unlocking his bike! It was priceless. It was like he could no longer afford a car because FEMA wouldn't give him any assistance. Too funny. He stole the show. More later after I go through my photos, videos and audio tapes. I know there was much more.
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Post by clervaux on Apr 4, 2006 11:19:31 GMT -5
Myrtle,
Again, thanks for your great recap! A few questions and comments:
What character did Stephanie play in These Are the Stairs You Got to Watch that had her is such stylish (LOL) attire?
She still doesn't get the lasting appeal of Laura Holt and Remington Steele does she? You'd think she might, with the success of the DVD releases.
A little Rex goes a long way. I was afraid that this would happen after reading the prefestival interview with Reed where he said that Stephanie would be interviewing him. I was hoping we might get some idea what her next project is going to be from the interview.
Tell me she wasn't predestined to play Laura Holt. At even an early age she showed a talent for illusion and the need to be in charge. I am a bit surprised that she hasn't gone the route of producer on a more full time basis since she produced The Baby Dance.
Again, thanks for letting us live vicariously through you!
clervaux
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Post by curious george on Apr 4, 2006 19:45:51 GMT -5
Great stories and pics, Myrtle. You have our undying gratitude. You did get autographed photos for all of us, right? cg
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Post by Patricia on Apr 4, 2006 22:52:14 GMT -5
Myrtle,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences with Stef. I often think if someone feted me for something I'd done 20 years ago, I might not think it was that special, too. But, RS truly was and I am so glad you mentioned it to her. She clearly has no idea how much that show meant to so many of us.
Patricia
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