Nathan Lane, Bernadette Peters, Laura Benanti and Holland Taylor were among celebrities who paid a loving Broadway tribute to the theatrical legend who died at the age of 89 back in July.
- November 18, 2014
AceShowbiz -
Elaine Stritch was given a loving tribute in Broadway on Monday, November 17. Actors like Nathan Lane, Bernadette Peters, Laura Benanti and Holland Taylor paid a two-hour tribute called "Everybody Rise!" to the theatrical legend who passed away at the age of 89 on July 17.
Nathan fought back tears as he opened the event with a monologue. "Elaine Stritch walks into a bar. A bar with which she was not too familiar. She told the bartender, 'I'd like a bottle of vodka and a floor plan,' " he told the audience, "This event would have pleased her to no end because, for one, it's all about her."
The "Mirror Mirror" actor continued, "I have so many memories of her and they all keep playing in my head like an awards show montage. Elaine on 'Waiting for Godot': 'Oh Nathan, that play isn't funny - it's one long f***ing night in the theater.' Elaine after seeing 'The Addams Family' - 'Whatever they are paying you, it's not enough.' "
Other performers, including Christine Ebersole, Betty Buckley, Michael Feinstein and Lena Hall, delivered songs from Elaine's catalog, including "Broadway Baby" and "You're Just in Love". During her performance, Lena donned Elaine's signature outfit of a button-down shirt, hat and black tights.
David Hyde Pierce, John Lithgow, Michael Urie, Charles Busch, Chita Rivera, Christine Baranski, John Turturro, Joy Behar, Ellen Burstyn and F. Murray Abraham were among those in the audience.
The tribute concluded with a vintage video of Elaine singing her famous rendition of Stephen Sondheim's "The Ladies Who Lunch".
