::: George Christy ::: From the Beverly Hills Courier

Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein joined the flock of buyers at the challenging Sundance Film Festival in UtahÕs Park City, fresh from his wedding to Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman. They wed at their Connecticut estate on Long Island Sound, with 300-plus guests in attendance that included Renee Zellweger and Jennifer Lopez. VogueÕs Billy Norwich reports this month about the three party tents; the caviar and truffles, sole and osso bucco; tarot card readers; pool tables; and Òthe most splendidÓ fireworks after the newlyweds exchanged vows. Robert De Niro and George Clooney sent best wishes, and Billy notes that Òher going-away dress was not a problem, especially as the wedding was at home, with the bride sighing, ÔIÕm just going right upstairs to bed.ÕÓ ÒIf thereÕs a movie that should be seen on the big screen, this is it,Ó declared Sundance Film Festival director Geoff Gilmore before the premiere screening of The Escapist at Park CityÕs Eccles Theatre. The Escapist stars an imprisoned Brian Cox, who devises an escape with fellow inmates, played by Damian Lewis, Dominic Cooper and Joseph Fiennes. BrianÕs determined to reach his drug-addicted, 2l-year-old daughter, with the pacing and tension, under Rupert WyattÕs direction, mounting. Rolling StoneÕs Peter Travers was blown away with the movie, and Brian, appearing in Tom StoppardÕs Rock N Roll on Broadway, flew in for the Sunday night opening, along with his cast colleagues to stand-up applause from fans and critics. ÒWhat role has Placido Domingo sung the most?Ó asked LA Opera board chairman and CEO, Marc Stern, during the supper party in the Grand Hall after the standing-ovation premiere of Richard WagnerÕs Tristan und Isolde at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. ÒHappy Birthday wins hands down, having sung Happy Birthday to hundreds of friends and opera lovers É tonight I want us to sing Happy Birthday to Placido, whose birthday is tomorrow.Ó And so it was, before Placido introduced the cast of Richard WagnerÕs erotic opera of love and desire. Tristan und IsoldeÕs burning love stoked the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage for more than four hours during the opening night. Linda Watson, a Bay Area soprano from Orinda, was thrilling as Isolde, which sheÕs sung 42 times (with this opening night performance), and which sheÕll sing next in Amsterdam. (Says she practices seven hours a day!) ÒLindaÕs is a voice of great beauty and quality and size,Ó commented Placido, before he lauded Cornwall-born, heldentenor John Treleaven, whoÕs repeated the role of Tristan in many countries, and sings it soon in Vienna and Munich. Next season, John and Linda return to LA Opera as Siegfried and Brunnhilde in WagnerÕs Ring Cycle. Placido hailed conductor James Conlon, director Thor Steingraber, and the magnetic castÕs Kristinn Sigmundsson, Lioba Braun, Juha Uusitaio, Brian Mulligan. David Hockney created the stunning sets, Duane SchulerÕs lighting was magical, and the enthralled audience buzzed that opera doesnÕt get any better than this production. Leslie and John Dorman were the underwriters, and first nighters included James Galanos, Jay Weston with his ex, Annabelle, photographer Michael Childers, filmmaker Chris Hodge, Lennie and Bernie Greenberg, art maven Dagney Corcoran, remarking that Òthe four-and-a-half hours whizzed by,Ó Gregory Evans, whoÕs one of DavidÕs models, Katie and Arpad Domyan, casting wizard Jason LaPadura, Fred Alexander, Erik Golsen, Pat and Michael York, Caroline Graham, Elyse and Stan Grinstein. New Yorker Sean Driscoll, the mastermind of the Glorious Food caterers, flew in for the weekend, as he has in seasons past for our Manon and Robert WilsonÕs Madame Butterfly. Sean escorted Ames Cushing, and informs that his big event in Manhattan will be the MetÕs Costume Institute party in May, chaired by Vogue editor Anna Wintour and themed around super heroes such as Spiderman, etc. Art historian Charlie Scheips also arrived from Manhattan for the performance, noting that David HockneyÕs busy preparing his ÒlandscapesÓ exhibition for the Royal Academy of Art in London. ÒOn February 16, we premiere VerdiÕs Otello with Ian Storey, a basketball-playing, Welshman stud, who graduated as a furniture designer, injured his ankle during a game, found himself tinkering with the piano and singing while recuperating, and was told he had an Ôopera voice,ÕÓ says LA OperaÕs director of communications Gary Murphy. ÒIan was soon embraced by the opera community, performs major roles around the world, and last month sang Tristan at La Scala.Ó The hot tamale party for the Big Kahunas of the art world is the February 9 inaugural gala for the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) designed by Renzo Piano at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. LACMA trustee Jane Nathanson, an admitted Òmuseum junkie,Ó with husband Marc, donated a $10 million wing in their name, and sheÕs chairing the evening with trustee Lynda Resnick. At the suggestion of LACMA director Michael Govan, Jeff Koons created the invitations inspired by his Cracked Egg (Red) sculpture. Detroit-born Eli Broad (rhymes with road) and wife Edythe, along with Jane and Marc, are longtime collectors of contemporary art Ð their houses in Brentwood and Holmby Hills are international showcases. EliÕs foundation includes more than 2,000 works that will be loaned, but perenially remain under the foundationÕs control. A billionaire philanthropist, Eli founded SunAmerica (now KB Home), and is listed by Forbes magazine as one of the richest men in the U.S. He provided the $150-plus million for his grand and prestigious addition to Los Angeles, a high sign to East Coast snobs that Los Angeles is one of the contemporary art capitals of the world. More than 200 works from the Broad collection are anticipated to be on view in the 60,000-square-foot space, with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver leading the galaÕs guest list. Leading gallerists and artists Robert Rauschenberg, Ellsworth Kelly, Jasper Johns, Richard Serra, Cindy Sherman and Jeff Koons are flying in on EliÕs private Gulfstream jet. Oh, how he loved his Toronto International Film Festival, which he founded with two friends 32 years ago, and that became a financial bonanza for the city, attracting stars, filmmakers, hundreds of press enthusiasts from everywhere. Year after year, he welcomed festivalgoers that he and his wife Joan entertained during the 10-day fete. Always smiling, a tumbler of Crown Royal in hand, chewing on an unlit stogie, and never without his black cowboy hat with its array of medals, Dusty Cohl was idolized, the festivalÕs Mr. It, and he is greatly missed. It was in his joyous nature to make introductions, bringing folks together, and dispensing savvy suggestions when needed. His was a spark that fired maverick filmmakers, and some years ago he founded the successful Floating Film Festival, which traverses the seas, with Roger Ebert and critics on hand to present favored films aboard the cruise ship. Dusty willed the Floating Film Festival to his friend, The Last Mogul producer and advertising dynamo, Barry Avrich. Wherever he went, a joyous excitement followed. His beaming countenance livened every one of the 23 Toronto film festival luncheons that IÕve hosted for 80 guests during the festivalÕs first weekend at the Four Seasons Hotel. My favorite old-fashioned chicken pot pie is the menuÕs signature dish, and knowing DustyÕs taste, the chef cheerfully baked the pies to his liking. No green peas, please! Wherever he is at that airy festival in the sky, may his chicken pot pies be served without green peas, and may a flask of Crown Royal always be at the ready. Online at www.bhcourier.com.