Jujamcyn, which owns five B’way theaters, has widened to the Internet. Says its president Jordan Roth:
“Our organization’s macro mission is to deepen substance. We’ve begun the new social site Culturalist. It’s putting out top-10 lists on something, like Best Gossip Columnists, Best Things About Winter, Best Couples, Best Porn. Responders send their own lists. By aggregating, we see what’s happening, what’s wanted out there — in TV, theater, books.
“We’ve just done Celebrities I’d Invite to Dinner. People picked Jon Stewart, Clintons, Obamas, Tina Fey, Rachel Maddow, Meryl Streep, Bill Maher, Jennifer Lawrence, Jan Maxwell, Stephen Colbert. Another, TV Shows Cancelled Too Soon went from No. 1 ‘Arrested Development’ down to No. 10 ‘Boston Legal.’ ”
And next season’s 10 best Broadway shows?
“This spring brings ‘Bullets Over Broadway,’ ‘Aladdin,’ ‘Bridges of Madison County,’ ‘Rocky,’ all together an unprecedented 11 musicals. In the development cycle, musicals gravitate to spring. Award season.
“As risk profiles change, with stocks and bonds not so safe, people diversify. More invest in shows. It’s risky, but there are ancillary benefits — celebrities, openings, parties, emotional artistic excitement. Whatever happens financially ,it can be a personal success.”
Better Jujamcyn should have a few of the 10 best.
Josh Groban: Fear’s a positive
Josh Groban. Wearing glasses. Clutching a coffee container. “I’m off to LA for CBS shooting ‘The Crazy Ones’ with Robin Williams. It airs in two months. I play Sarah Michelle Gellar’s romantic crush. Then to London, where I write, see friends and because I’m in love with their studios.”
So going onstage, ever scared?
“When you stop getting scared, it’s time to pack it in. Fear is when you’re younger. And nervous. Now, it’s more that I’m anxious. Look, connecting with my audience is my job. We’re all crazy anyway. The trick is breath. That’s the first thing that goes. Make sure you breathe when you’re singing.
“I was born and raised in LA. My family’s there. But I live here now. Like I had to move to NYC to leave those cars and walk around and see the seasons even though I go to bed 3 a.m. and don’t get up until 10.”
Game time
Super Bowl superpoop: Nutritionist Sophia Aslanis’ factoidlet: “Biggest eating day after Thanksgiving is Super Bowl Day.” . . . Super p.r. plug: Beer joint Reichenbach Hall starts tailgate sloshing Saturday noon straight through Sunday’s game. It stars $7 bratwurst sandwiches.
Missed banjo
A long-ago favorite Louise Lasser quote about Pete Seeger, whom we just lost: “Dad sent me to different radical fringe camps. I didn’t get off one camp bus for 10 summers without Pete Seeger playing a welcoming banjo.”
Ladies’ lunch
Judith Giuliani and Somers Farkas hosted Le Cirque lunch for MSNBC lawyer Rikki Klieman/Mrs. Cop Commissioner Bill Bratton. Of 65 ladies — Barbara Walters, Margo Catsimatidis, Daryl Roth to Francine Lefrak — 58 were blond.
I spoke to the brunettes.
Nicole Miller, inhaling bread and multiple butter pats: “I don’t believe in deprivation. I’m size 4.” Alongside, comedy club’s Caroline Hirsch wore another designer altogether — Dolce & Gabbana. Deborah Roberts (Mrs. Al) Roker: “I walked my dog in the blizzard. In a ball gown.” My exception was Spike Lee’s missus, Tonya, because her hair’s brondish: “We’re selling our East Side townhouse. It’s too big for us. The kids are grown. Spike wants downtown now.” After Bratton came to say hello, Mrs. B told me: “In 1998, I left the gym in a purple velour warm-up suit, and you wrote my outfit was bad. I never forgot that. I got home and threw it out.”
A) Rikki was now in nifty black leather. B) I felt so guilty, I blew off dessert.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.