Being minutes from the Tonys, Anika Noni Rose, nominated for “A Raisin in the Sun,” says: “My name’s pronounced ‘Aneeka.’ Mom chose it because one’s name goes through life, gathers strength, has meaning. It means ‘goodness’ in Swahili. When mispronounced as ‘Onnika,’ I just smile and let it go. ‘Onnika’ would have two ‘Ns.’ I only correct it if it’s someone with whom I have a relationship.”
So, the Tonys: “Mind-blowing experience. My nomination certificate’s with me in my New York home. It’s unbelievable. First time I won for ‘Caroline or Change’ I didn’t expect it.
“Now I keep myself from thinking about it. But then I was brand-new . . . in shock. A once-in-a-lifetime thing. My grandmother was there and I couldn’t even hear my name. My castmates turned around, my brother went crazy, and the audience was a wave of excitement. Such positiveness even in the balcony, like nothing I ever experienced before.
“My place is in renovation so the statuette’s in a family member’s house. Now I needn’t look at it every day. This time it’s not that big a rush. Just being nominated feels more special. Maybe, who knows, maybe it will become bookends.”
Future & past
What they’re saying: Chris Noth, married in 2012: “My son Orion, born 2008, is into everything. I want what’s best for my family. I worry not about my career. Only about his future.” . . . Moby: “Age 10, I moved on. I’d never been given anything. I grew up poor. We did food stamps.”
Memorable time
Wonderful Memorial Weekend: Stuffed myself at Park Avenue South’s fabulous Sushi-Samba . . . Loved “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” at the Walter Kerr . . . Enjoyed Shelter Island, quiet nonhectic Hampton, home of Rory Kennedy who does takeout from Vine Street eatery, Richard Gere who’s peddling his place across from the South Ferry, Daniel Silva who cranks out best sellers . . . And heard the complaint: Obama and his greengrocer wife do nada, zero, zilch for the arts.
Losing a big gamble
Players involved in gaming in NY are not always game players. Like an almost done deal regarding upstate’s potential casino? It’s no longer potential. Forget the Ukraine. It’s war. New York’s 60 percent tax rate makes casinos thriving difficult. Besides, between professionals, licenses and allocations, there’s conflict.
Take it from mother, kiddies, those who gambled on reopening Grossinger’s crumbling Catskill resort? Fuhgeddabouded. Ain’t going to happen in the former Queen of the Borscht Belt. Of course, I could be wrong — but of course I’m not.
Odds & ends
Tom Wolfe, who knocks off reads like “Bonfire of the Vanities,” doing a book on evolution . . . If anyone but Duchess Kate or whatever’s her title cares: London’s play “King Charles III,” about Camilla’s husband abdicating the throne for his son HRH William, big hit. Moving from boonies to West End’s Wyndhams Theatre Sept. 2.
Barely a whisper
P-R for ABC’s new sci-fi thriller, Steven Spielberg’s “The Whispers,” sent me pages on the “scary terrifying freak-out drama” about kids helping aliens and set an interview with lead Lily Rabe, who then wouldn’t discuss it. At all. More terrified than the drama itself.
“Can’t talk about it.” Why? “It’s suspenseful, tense, sci-fi. I’m being coy. I’m doing my best but I can’t talk about it.”
So why an interview? Hopefully, “The Whispers” says more than Miss Lily.
Let’s nobody knock Madonna and mumble she’s not gracious. Outside an Upper East Side dental office — she in a Zorro-like black cape and dark glasses — extended her hand and said thank you to a polite fan.
Maybe only in New York, kids, only in New York.