On ebay, a Trove of Theatrical Treasures

Liza Minnelli's act was worthy of a Tony. Photos from ebay Web site.

HEADS UP: Dilemma: The last days. YOU: bewitched, bothered and bewildered. US: elves at VEVLYN’S PEN are, of course, on the case. Practically every day through 24 Dec., we will introduce at least one or a series of products, items and brands that we believe is worthy of consideration as a holiday gift(s). Now, stop your fretting.

BY TAMARA BECK

SOMETIMES it’s not that hard to meet the theater lover's strict criteria for the odd or unusual. For proof, look no further than – say – ebay.

Bid for some of the many items of memorabilia on display.

A recent visit yielded a still-sealed album of the Liza Minnelli tuner, “The Act.” Kander and Ebb wrote the musical as a comeback vehicle for LM but the show closed after just 233 performances and never recouped its costs.

In 1977-78, a Saturday night orchestra seat cost $25, but with LM missing 10 percent of the run there was no guarantee to catch the star in “The Act.” (See video below of Robert Guillaume introducing LM&Company performing "City Lights" from “The Act” on 1978 Tony Awards and later Ed Asner presenting the performer the Tony for best actress in a musical.)

Also available to the sharp bidder is a 1946 album of the Broadway revival of “Show Boat.” Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II created the musical in 1927. It ran for nearly a year and a half to great critical and popular success.

The album from the 1946 revival of "Show Boat."

JK and OH II wrote the part of Joe, the stevedore, especially for Paul Robeson. The formidable actor would go on to sing “Old Man River” in the 1928 London stage premiere, as well as the Broadway revival in 1932 and the 1936 film. The 1946 revival was held at the Ziegfeld Theatre, which was the venue for the original Broadway production.

The Addams Family was anything but a rousing success when it played on Broadway in 2010, though it is currently touring the world with companies across the United States, in Brazil and in Sydney.

A Wednesday (Addams) T-shirt.

Krysta Rodriguez won acclaim as an exciting newcomer, portraying the original Wednesday Addams. Wednesday's red T-shirt, in small, can be picked up for a modest bid and appreciated by a troubled teen, perhaps your own.

A caveat: keep in mind as you troll through the ebay theatrical memorabilia that some of these treasures may no longer be available.You may find others, though, adding to the thrill.

Elsewhere, the visit turned up a 1976 souvenir program of a rare Katharine Hepburn stage appearance in “A Matter of Gravity.” It was marked a mere $12. The play was popular despite poor reviews.

Katharine Hepburn is the "girl" on the cover of the "A Matter of Gravity" program.

“A Matter of Gravity” closed on Broadway after three month and embarked on a successful national tour. During the Los Angeles leg, KH fractured her hip. Ever the trooper, she chose to continue performing from a wheelchair.

Visit http://www.ebay.com/bhp/broadway-shows and http://www.ebay.com/sch/Theater-Memorabilia-/2362/i.html to learn more about EBay theatrical memorabilia.

At Ann Taylor, Winter 2014 Is Embellished, Sparkling and Poured Into Leather

Introducing Ann Taylor Winter 2014. Photo courtesy of Ann Taylor.

HEADS UP: Here we are, negotiating the early days of summer. What does this signify? Too many things to name. In the rag trade, however, one aspect of the season is the round of press previews of designer and brand fall-winter collections that end some time in August. Team VEVLYN'S PEN has not had much to say of late about fashion. We take this time over the next seven or eight weeks, however, to break our silence to jaw about what select brands and/or designers will have in store (literally) beginning in a matter of a few weeks through the end of the year. Do bear with us, this is our maiden voyage into these waters outside of fashion weeks. Anchors aweigh!

CUTE leather jacket in burgundy. Liking on the leather jeggings, or are those leggings? The animal print peacoat has some possibilities.

Yours Truly is milling about a cavernous showroom on the 5th floor of the Times Square Tower, considering Ann Taylor Winter 2014.

Nothing has knocked my socks off (not that I am wearing any), but a body can always count on the Ann Taylor brand to deliver sense and sensibility. Besides, a body doesn't always want her socks knocked off.

Katharine Hepburn as Tracy Lord in "The Philadelphia Story" or is she an Ann Taylor model? Archive photo.

Elsewhere, those black leather shorts don't bare derriere. The faux-jewel encrusted wool tops cause the heretofore roaming eye to hover; ditto for the pink /peach series surrounded by a sea of black&white&cream&gray covering wool, boucle, cableknit, lace, as well as the aforementioned leather.

Now, I am taking mental notes. Accessories – jewelry, handbags, hats, etc. – neither wow nor bore. Serviceable is a word that springs to mind. Footwear is often black and bootieful. The clothes – the whole shebang – can take a body from office to gala. They can be used as foundations or accents for get-ups far more daring and edgy. I take a moment to text a colleague a reportback:

“...@ Ann Taylor. It's a presentation, no seating and lounging for the press. Clothes are OK, what one would expect – basics, on trend, accessible, slightly conservative, tasteful.”

For Winter 2014, Ann Taylor creative director Lisa Axelson is informed by numerous sources: art, desk to dinner / work to party dressing, modernity, tradition … “Classic yet cool.”

The Ann Taylor maxi dress has few time constraints. Photo courtesy of Ann Taylor.

Which brings this mediation around to LA's piece de resistance: A body-skimming (not hugging) black maxi dress with three-quarter inch sleeves and a semi-circular collar and cut-out at neck. Down the front, an abbreviated split. Accessorized with belt and bracelets. In short, sublime simplicity.

Immediately, this mind goes to Katharine Hepburn in “The Philadelphia Story” and Rosalind Russell in “Auntie Mame. Here is a silhouette that never goes out of fashion.

In some more words of Ann Taylor, “Sophisticated and at ease.”

Visit http://www.anntaylor.com/ in another month or so to learn more about the Winter 2014 collection; similarly, visit a brick and mortar store near you.

In 'The Iron Lady,' a Great Actress and a Grand Dame

Meryl Streep as UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." Photo by Alex Bailey, Courtesy of Pathe Productions Ltd.

WHAT is it about Meryl Streep and her extraordinary ability to portray fascinating women with pinpoint accuracy.

The list is impressive: Karen Blixen (“Out of Africa”), Vogue editor Anna Wintour (“The Devil Wears Prada”), Top Chef Julia Child (“Julia & Julia”). And now, Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher.

“The Iron Lady” chronicles the life of MT, particularly her near-meteoric rise and reign as the first and so far the only female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The film premieres in U.S. theaters today.

MS is often heralded as the greatest U.S. actress of all time. Perhaps she has garnered such praise because she effortless owns a character mind, body and soul. If she is the finest actress this young country has produced to date, that is indeed impressive. Lesser greats would include Joan Crawford, Bette Davis (MS’ film idol), Katharine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor.

Without doubt, in “The Iron Lady” MS is MT. Makeup notwithstanding, she bears a striking resemblance to this shopkeeper’s daughter. Her moniker, “woman of a thousand accents,” serves her well in this role, too. She nails MT’s speech patterns with barely a syllable out of place. Her performance goes beyond diction, however, to facial ticks, body language and the rhythm of her pantherlike movements. Watching MS do MT is like watching the lady herself whose legendary will was as flinty as they come, hence her moniker. (See trailers at: http://www.bit.ly/zSX47l and http://www.bit.ly/yKQ9rN).

“The Iron Lady” has been eagerly anticipated – MT, though now in her 80s and sickly remains a controversial figure more loathed than loved – and many thought MS would knock this one out of the park. It seems she has, earning a nod in the best actress category on just about every leading critics list. On Monday, she won the New York Film Critics Circle Awards prize for best actress.

“The Iron Lady” had a limited release in December to qualify for Academy Award consideration. The only surprise would be if MS’ name isn’t listed in the best actress category. It would represent her 17th nomination, another reason she is considered the nation’s finest actress. Her closest competition is KH (12). If MS wins it would be her third. KH has four and the designation as the most Oscar-decorated actress. As incredible as it may seem, MS last took home the statuette nearly 20 years ago, in 1982 for “Sophie’s Choice.”

Awards aside, the actress gives another stellar performance in “The Iron Lady” and has been the subject of most of the buzz. It takes a village, though, doesn't it? She has strong support, particularly from Jim Broadbent as the older Denis Thatcher, MT’s husband and campaign contributor.

"The Iron Lady” is rated PG-13 for some violent images and brief nudity.