GINA Gershon opens the 15th in “Bye Bye Birdie.” In bright sunlight, no makeup, she looked great. She also talks great.
On her home: “I’m a Gemini, so I need two places. I live in TriBeCa and Santa Monica.”
On her dressing room: “It’s two levels below street. You live there. Eat there, nap there. Sometimes you don’t leave. So I redid the place. Painted it very light, a dusty mauve. Bought a white cowhide rug, built-in couch, seashell lamp, big fur pillows, all white and dark gray. We faked a window. Blew up a photo I’d taken in the British Virgin Islands, placed an old window frame around it, added soft ocean music so I feel like I’m getting fresh air. My environment affects me. I was obsessive. The producers paid for some, I paid for some.”
On “Bye Bye Birdie”: “I was a song-and- dance gal in my early days. At 14, my first musical in junior high in the Valley was actually ‘Bye Bye Birdie.’ They gave me the lead, Rosie.”
On staying fit: “Three times a week, yoga helps. Calms my breathing down. I hate the gym. I only swim or use the steam room. But this show, dancing eight times a week, is good for me. Put my ass back in shape. A jacket I haven’t worn in three years now fits. Breakfast is oatmeal or pancakes and eggs. My costumes are really tight, so I do steak and potatoes two hours before showtime then go out for drinks and food. I’m an eater.” [She inhaled cookies as we spoke.]
On her love life: “I’m available. Single. Don’t go out to clubs. Haven’t the energy. After work, I sometimes see the friends I never get to see. But eligible guys are hard to find. I know amazing professional women who can’t get guys. Only young ones come on to me. In their 20s, they’re emotionally available and more polite. Those my own age don’t want strong women. The ones in their 40s were raised wrong. My only male right now is Cleo, my cat. We’re together 11 years . . . Listen, I’m so approachable, so not intimidating, but if I have a man over and Cleo doesn’t like him — he’s out!”
Gentlemen, start your engines.
SOME high-end luxury operations might go poop. LVMH could close Celine. Tag Heuer’s endorsement deal with DiCaprio might possibly not renew. It’s the environment, not Leonardo, but stuff’s not racing off the shelves. They’re mumbling about maybe trying Angelina Jolie next. She costs more but, the thinking is, she’ll bring maximum coverage because of her lifestyle. The clock is also running out on Uma Thurman‘s contract to endorse watches. And if you can’t find your usual favorite salesperson at Chanel on Madison Avenue, it could be because a dozen were let go.
PRINCESS Caroline of Monaco, mar ried to husband No. 3 for 10 years, is now separated. He, Prince Ernst of Hanover, is already moving on. Or at least forward. He’s seeing Iranian heiress Maryam Sachs, who split from furniture designer husband Rolf Sachs after 24 years. Only last month Mr. & Mrs. Sachs, together, attended a big London society wedding (and who knows how long that couple stays coupled). He then moved out of their Fulham Road house. It’s called Musical Spouses.
SAD news. Tragedy struck Vogue. Last week’s usual three cars to schlep edit ors around the Paris collections were downsized to one. All together now, Aaarrrggghhh! . . . Kate Middleton, Prince William‘s future bride and queen or consort or whatever, has a university-dropout brother James who sells baking kits online. He now wants to expand and peddle cupcakes from stalls at London’s street markets. Next he’ll cater Buckingham Palace? . . . What recession? Queen Mary 2 fotogs charge $24.50 for each 8-by-10 photo. One, asked is she well-paid, answered emphatically, “No!”
PETER and Vandy,” which was shot here, opens Friday. Said its Jason Rit ter: “They gave me an apartment in Brooklyn, although I have friends here whose couches I could’ve bunked on. My first subway trip made me feel like I’m floating. I loved the subway. It’s a great people-watching spot. Those bored, those on fire, those en route someplace. All walks thrusting together. A heightened reality. An intense city to live in. Like everyone’s squeezing every last drop out of life. Listening to them is a learning tool for an actor. People having a tough time, some handling it well, some not. It’s illuminating. It also breaks your heart.”
So has being John Ritter’s son and Tex Ritter’s grandson helped him any? “I neither regret nor celebrate that. It was what it was. Starting out was interesting. Nobody expected I’d do things they did, but that both were nice, well-liked, left no bad taste meant people were predisposed to give me a chance. And I’ve kept certain mementos. My grandfather’s pipe and cowboy hat and my dad’s T-shirts and clothes, some of which I actually wear.”
He loves the subway???????????
SONNY Orza of The Bread Factory in New Rochelle serviced Yankee Stadium 30 years. With no additives, shortening or preservatives, just salt, flour and water, his stuff supposedly has a special taste. For some reason, he wasn’t back with the new stadium. But Derek Jeter wanted the bread he used to have. Like Lola, whatever Jeter wants Jeter gets. The bread’s back.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.