‘I THINK part of me would love to play a drag queen, just because it would be an excuse to wear loads of eye makeup,” says the “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe.
The 19-year-old, who is going nude on Broadway in the play “Equus,” told Details mag that he “likes being different from most other people of my generation.”
RECENTLY received a telephone call that was actually meant for the agent Boaty Boatwright. The caller was the tall, terrific actor Frank Langella. He said he’d dialed me by mistake. We chatted anyway.
Frank said he’s up to his ears getting ready to open as Sir Thomas More in the venerable stage drama “A Man for All Seasons.” At the same time, said Frank, things are hotting up with the release of the movie “Frost/Nixon.” When I noted it would arrive in time for the Academy Awards, Frank refused to even speak about that.
He also didn’t tell me about the big doings planned for the Paley Center for Media in NYC, which will premiere the Universal movie, offering a panel after with the director Ron Howard, the producer Brian Grazer and the cast. “Frost/Nixon” opens on Dec. 5 in limited release, with screenings in Beverly Hills on Nov. 21 and in NYC on Dec. 2.
Frank did say goodbye with a funny: “I am a saint this time, you know. Last year, as Nixon, I was a devil! I get around!”
WHENEVER I run into that titan of the Shubert Organization, one Gerald Schoenfeld, he usually has trenchant things to say about critics, columnists, actors, directors, producers, writers, stagehands and unions.
But recently, he only wanted to mention in passing that he has “the absolute sweetest, nicest, most wonderful leading man of all time” in the coming production of “Equus,” which opens Sept. 25 at the Broadhurst Theatre.
Of course, he meant our young friend in the opening quote, Daniel Radcliffe. It’s fun to discover that under his steel exterior, Gerry is just a hopeless fan.
GOING TO the glorious La Grenouille for lunch is one of those dirty jobs, but someone has to do it. This week? My turn! So Vanity Fair was holding its 69th Annual International Best-Dressed List celebration, and I got to sit next to the magazine chief Graydon Carter, a proud new papa of a baby girl. On his other side, fashion’s most intellectual winner Fran Lebowitz . . . my Egypt travel companion Leonard Lauder . . . the famous Bette Midler with one of “my” favorite husbands, Martin von Haselberg . . . the knowledgeable Jennifer Maguire . . . Karen Katz of Neiman Marcus . . . John and Elaine Mellencamp, who need no description . . . likewise Kanye West and his gorgeous girlfriend Alexis Phifer.
Glimpsed at other tables were the perennially tanned Valentino, the serene charmer Carolina Herrera, the legend Jimmy Galanos and some New York champs such as Amy Fine Collins and Aimee Bell. I can’t name everybody for fear of forgetting just the one who might be insulted.
I did enjoy seeing Wendi Deng and Ivanka Trump, towering in beauty over everybody. That man-about-women Jamie Niven was in their midst. I say, “You always did like ’em tall.” He laughed, “No – first I liked you.”
I love a man with a snappy comeback.
WHEN THE artist-designer Michael Vollbracht resigned from heading up the Bill Blass label at Saks, I was crushed. But now, he’s back! His new collection called M.V. Exclusive for Saks Fifth Avenue bows at the Wally Findlay Galleries on East 57th Street.
You can see this collection Tuesday at 11, 4 and 6, and then on Wednesday, the galleries will show this underrated genius at his best in artworks being described as “Ladies Painted.”
SPEAKING OF outer garments that sometimes look like undergarments, next spring Madonna will offer an exhibition in London of her most famous and notorious costumes – 300 items including the iconic “Material Girl” dress that she wore in the 1985 hit video . . . the gown from “Evita” . . . the wedding dress from “Like a Virgin.”
There is no reason why this exhibition won’t also come to the United States, but the Big M will decide.
WANT CNN’s Larry King? You still have to go to Nate ‘n Al’s Jewish deli in Beverly Hills – a little slice of NYC in Tinseltown. He holds court there every a.m. without fail, unless traveling. You might also see the Beckhams, Paul McCartney, Randy Travis and HBO’s “Entourage” guys.
This is a legendary place where they tell tales of Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Danny Thomas. As for hostess Debbie Abend, “Entourage” producers put her in an upcoming episode.
WOMEN ARE front and center these days from politics to other kinds of power. So get in on the New York Women’s Foundation dinner at Gotham Hall on Oct. 2. The host is Grace Hightower De Niro, and honorees are Iman and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein plus his Sony power wife, Nicole Seligman. The mayor and Diana Taylor will present. Call 212-763-8590 or visit nywf.org.