ARG! Summer’s Over, But What Fun It Was!

September 4, 2007

Darlings,

ARG! Summer’s Over, But What Fun It Was!
How are you? No really, how ARE you? If I’m sounding rah-tha David Niven-ish, it’s because I’ve just returned from the Continent on a research tour Mark and I took for my new book, Holly Would Dream.

That’s right, key scenes of the book take place in Rome, at the Hassler Hotel, so of course, we had to visit the Eternal City and stay there. The media director was kind enough to show me all their Presidential Suites (which we sadly couldn’t afford at 2,000 euros/day), and I was able to hone the details of my story accordingly. As I blathered on about an earlier note to you, this book involves a fashion historian who is obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. As it turns out, Audrey stayed at the Hassler throughout the making of Roman Holiday, so I took that as a good sign.

I had written a scene where Holly and her love interest go out for dinner and dancing on a lively barge restaurant on the Tiber River (much like that scene in Roman Holiday where Audrey and Gregory Peck go, where the fight breaks out - remember?). Anyway, when I got to Rome, I realized that the Tiber is now a marsh that smells suspiciously like doody, so I moved my scene somewhere more romantic and less aromatic. I chose a place called Il Palazzetto, which is an al fresco bar above the Spanish Steps where Mark and imbibed every night of our visit. Naturally, we became the bartender’s pets and they let us stay and drink with the staff and their friends even after they closed. This happens to us wherever we travel thanks to Mark and his legendary after-hours charm.

Other important scenes take place on an ultra-luxurious ship called the Tiffany Star. So, again, in the name of research, Mark and I were forced to cruise on the most sumptuous of the small ships, the Silver Whisper. Sigh. I know, you feel very bad for me, that I had to work on vacation, but I am THAT committed to truth in fiction, so it was the least I could do.

The ship was absolutely wonderful and we had a blast partying, dancing, and singing karaoke. I sang back-up on a Meat Loaf song that Mark performed. We were terrible, of course. I mean, who can touch Meat Loaf when it comes to performing? No one, that’s who. We shouldn’t have even tried. Next time I’m backing up Mark doing the Bee Gees. They would have been easier.

We met the greatest people - all in the name of research, of course. With our new friends, Celia Graham (recent lead in Phantom of the Opera) and Ben Jones (movie producer and new father of adorable puppy, Norman), we toasted each other’s wishes and threw our champaign glasses off the stern of the ship at midnight - a scene I may just add to Holly. Since action takes place in Tiffany Star’s kitchen and bridge, I toured both places on the Silver Whisper. Holly also has a “thing” with the captain of the ship, but I didn’t research this personally as Mark and I were too busy celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary.

The Ivy Movie
Speaking of celebrating, Jim Berg and Stan Zimmerman, the adorable and talented screenwriters for The Ivy Chronicles, just showed me their first draft of the script. Yipee! They were generous enough to let me comment on it, which is unusual. I’m told most screenwriters stay as far away from original authors as possible. While I had a few suggestions, on the whole, it was absolutely brilliant. They did an amazing job of adapting the book, adding some hysterical scenes and really fantastic original touches. I’ve even staked out a place for me to have a little cameo at the end. I’m starting my big diet now in anticipation and I may just have to double up on my pole dancing classes.

Back to School

The kids are looking forward to going back to school. Okay, that’s a lie. I don’t know why I even wrote it.

This Month’s Recommendations

I DIG DOUG

My friend Candice just took me to the FUNNIEST off-Broadway play. It was written and is performed by Karen DiConcetto and Rochelle Zimmerman, two young women right out of college. What a debut! It’s about two NYC teenagers obsessed with pop culture who discover that the presidential election is the ultimate course in reality television. It’s a madcap crash course in politics, fashion, gun control, animal cruelty, grand theft auto, and the art of seduction. It is HYSTERICAL, so much so that I’m going back to see it again with my kids. It’s at the Bleeker St. Theater between now and September 16 - 212-691-1555.

Getting In…Kindergarten

My friend, director and producer, Pamela French, spent a year documenting three families as they rode the rollercoaster ride of the NYC kindergarten admissions process. In other words, it’s The Ivy Chronicles, only for real. Watch it Sept. 10, 7 p.m., on The Learning Channel (TLC).

When Do We Eat?

My dentist recommended this one. It is laugh out loud funny; I kid you not. It’s also very irreverent so if you’re easily offended, don’t rent it. It stars Leslie Ann Warren and Jack Klugman and it’s about a dysfunctional family’s Passover dinner. If you’re Jewish you’ll really appreciate it, but even if you’re not, you’ll still pee in your pants with laughter.

Hope you had a wonderful summer. I’m looking forward to seeing you or talking to you soon. ‘

Hugs,

Karen

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