Fans and Friends of My Fans and People Who I Signed Up for This Newsletter Without Their Knowledge: today we have a special bonus edition and break from our typical programing. As most of you know, I am a world-renowned tastemaker (some of you are probably thinking “Victoria, so far this newsletter sounds like typical, as you say, ‘programming’”) and so today is dedicated to taste! Meaning a video I directed and some parties I threw. Yes, this is real.
Part 1: The Video
I conceived, directed and produced this video for the Roundabout for their production of Bess Wohl’s Liberation. The video is edited by Madeline Stephenson and has original music by Jennifer Lucy Cook. Liberation mostly takes place in the early 1970s in Ohio, so our goal was to create a video that completely replicated the style of the time (pans! dissolves!). The play is so well-crafted, and we wanted to do a video that had that same attention to detail and sophistication (and also fun and creative!).
You can watch the video here.
(and feel free to share it!)
Also, go see the play!! You will not be sorry. I would try to summarize it, but I am bad at summaries. So I will just say that it’s a really smart, funny, complicated, and ambitious play about feminism (honestly, not easy!). And it uses form! And structure! (style is character.) And it allows room for the audience. Anyway, if you do not take my word for it, here is The New York Times review. And if you don’t take my word or Jesse Green’s, here is Celia Keenan-Bolger (her newsletter is back from hiatus, and I highly recommend subscribing). For tickets, go here.
Part 2: The Parties
Last week, I hosted a party for GenR— Roundabout’s young patrons group— at my apartment. The party was a salon style dinner with Liberation playwright Bess Wohl, who in addition to being a brilliant writer is also one of my friends (and has the distinction of being labeled “seems okay” and “non-imaginary” by Therapist). For the food, I asked the caterers to come up with a ‘70s inspired menu, which included chicken pot pie and creations made of jello. I thought it was important for everyone to be able to talk as a group, so we did a buffet dinner and had everyone sit in my living room. I think it accomplished the salon/liberal arts/’70s vibe. People asked Bess great questions about the play, and it was a nice reminder that theatre can actually be a social endeavor. Plus, a few members of the catering team like theatre, and they’re now going to see the show too. Some other ‘70s touches included leaving a Polaroid out for people to use and a party playlist that included “Free to Be You and Me.”
I took some photos on one of my film cameras and am including a couple below.
There are some more photos on my Instagram (also a few from opening night featuring moi).
A few weeks ago, I hosted a party for the Jewish Museum (also at my apartment). The Jewish Museum is one of my favorite institutions and they always do a great job in curating their exhibits (if you haven’t, check out their Trenton Doyle Hancock/Philip Guston exhibit before it closes and their Queen Esther exhibit, which is opening soon). Everyone at the JM is also very nice and doing a lot to build community, so if you’re Jewish and in need of community, I’d definitely recommend joining. This party included the traditional Jewish food of caviar and a playlist with lots of Barbra Streisand, the most important Jew to ever live.
A couple of photos of the flower arrangements:
As always, special thanks to my cat for her magnanimity in allowing me to host so many events in her apartment, especially considering she has a very ambivalent relationship with the theatre and with museums as no one wants to producer her play, currently titled Caviar Now!, and she once had an unfortunate experience with some paint.