Star-studded after-party pays homage to ‘Cry-Baby’s’ unique style

By Matthew B. Zeidman

NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 4/25/08 – John Waters’ films have always been unique and unconventional, so it was no surprise that Thursday night’s after-party celebrating the Broadway opening of “Cry-Baby” went to extraordinary lengths to immerse its guests in its satirically retro world.

Visitors to Mansion were encouraged to interact with attention-grabbing characters on two levels of the downtown Manhattan club, as they enjoyed a fun and playful break from reality.

Just a few of the luminaries rumored to be floating around the club (in addition to the show’s entire cast and creative team, of course) were “Hairspray” alums Ricki Lake and Nikki Blonsky, “Law and Order: SVU” heartthrob Christopher Meloni, Broadway veteran Kristin Chenoweth and “Saturday Night Live’s” Debbie Downer, herself, Rachel Dratch.

Go-go dancers donning prison garb, conventionally dressed 1950s swingers and “cigarette girls” handing out sugar sticks livened up the dance floor, while, elsewhere, quaintly accented Tastycake ladies distributed various prepackaged delights in exchange for answering trivia questions related to the stage adaptation.

Hula-hoopers challenged onlookers to show off their stuff, while, just across the way, a doctor and his nurse cohorts examined each passerby and gave new meaning to the term “sugar pill” by handing out sacks of candy, insisting “you’ll feel better.”

The friendly lunch ladies weren’t to be outdone, of course, treating attendees to a cafeteria-style buffet, complete with cardboard lunchroom trays. On the menu were soul-food staples, like fluffernutter sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and string-bean casserole, as well as more-refined fare, like crab puffs and tea sandwiches.

Spam-laden crackers derived from the meat of a giant swan sculpture were definitely the most interesting offerings of the night, and bite-size nuggets of gefilte fish ensured that those observing Passover were not left out of the celebration.

At one point in the evening, as hits from yesteryear blared over the loudspeakers and waitresses dressed as French maids served theater patrons scattered about the party, Waters, himself, could be seen navigating the dance floor, as could “Body Heat” actress Kathleen Turner, who is no stranger to the stage, herself.

“Ace of Cakes” star Duff Goldman was also there, chef’s outfit and all, and was spotted outside the party examining the variety of baked goods being offered to departing partiers from the bakery truck—yes, bakery truck—parked outside the club’s entrance. Of course, only those who took the time to visit one of the many promotional tables inside were allowed a free sample from the traveling sweets dispensary.

The party had guests of all ages and all walks of life in good spirits and was a fitting homage to the official opening of the show, which has been running in previews at the Marquis Theatre since March 15. One can’t help but wonder what sorts of characters will populate Mansion should anyone ever decide to adapt Waters’ “Serial Mom” for the stage.