The shirt he was wearing was wonderful - a twill, with an almost satin sheen. And I was reminded how I really need another lightweight suit for summer. Chelsea and her boyfriend were there - all to celebrate Dorothy Rodham's (Hillary's mom) 88th birthday. Hillary did not come.
Here's the AP story that was just filed:
NEW YORK -- A day after a 13-year-old boy won the Scripps National Spelling Bee, former President Bill Clinton attended a bee of a decidedly different sort _ only to be poked fun at before a crowd of hundreds.
With the former commander in chief in the audience with his daughter and mother-in-law, the cast of Broadway's "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" used the show's interactive format to tease their presidential guest.
With an audience volunteer on stage being asked to spell the word "vermeil," cast member and comedian Mo Rocca offered a pointed sample sentence: "Had he known that his official duties would include selecting a china pattern to match the vermeil tableware, Billy never would have supported his wife's candidacy."
With the lights still up on the spectators, the audience seemed to wait to see President Clinton's reaction before truly allowing themselves to laugh, he said.
"Especially in a theater where the audience is so much a part of the show, there were two focal points: the actors and the Clintons," Rocca said, adding that the family attended the hit musical to celebrate Dorothy Rodham's 88th birthday.
The comedy breaks the fourth wall to include audience members in a school spelling bee populated by odd characters. Rocca, a former cast member on "The Daily Show," plays the vice principal who tests the contestants using humorous words and definitions.
When he's not on stage, Rocca also appears as a correspondent for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and as a commentator for CBS' "Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood."
***
More backstage after the show:
There was friendly banter with the whole cast in the green room. Jennifer Simard - our heroic leading lady (performing tonight with bronchitis!) - made a point of greeting Chelsea first. It must be hell being a First Daughter - everyone trampling you to touch or talk to your father. Sara Inbar - who plays Schwartzy, the young activist with two gay dads - asked the former president what he thought of No Child Left Behind. Surprise: he's not a fan. Jared Gertner - who plays Barfee, the spelling whiz with a "magic foot" - told Clinton that his own secret to looking so young was Botox. (Jared is 25.)
Then something happened that startled us all: Stephanie (last name withheld), a terrific woman who does audio for the show, stepped forward and thanked Clinton: "I was one of the final 58 people you pardoned," she said. Here she is thanking him...
Stephanie's pardon allowed her to vote once again. President Clinton told her that he signed legislation (I think I have this right) 30 years ago for the state of Arkansas that permitted most ex-cons to vote again. He said that Jeb Bush, whom he made a point of praising, had introduced similar legislation for Florida - and had been scorned by Republicans afraid that most ex-cons would vote Democrat.
I made a quip about supporting the right of ex-cons to vote - with an exception made for Paris Hilton. Clinton didn't laugh. (I was 1-for-2 with him, I guess. He did laugh heartily at the vermeil joke.)
As I was leaving the theater, there were a few people waiting around, probably hoping for a glimpse of the former president. Plus there was Judith Bernstein. Judith is great woman - and, as readers of this blog know, she was our very first Cat Lady Of The Month (CLOM)!
All in all, a very eventful evening.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
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gyxsphoipt at 10:22AM on Jan 24th 2009
2. I probably only know this because I am from Florida, but the good Republican governor that Bill Clinton was referring to was Charlie Crist, who won the most recent election in November, '07. Check it out: http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/sasha_abramsky/2007/04/so_pigs_can_actually_fly.html
Sara Inbar at 10:41AM on Jun 2nd 2007
3. WONDEFUL NIGHT! Thanks so much... :)
Jamie at 11:18AM on Jun 2nd 2007
4. Mo - In the picture with Clinton where exactly is your right hand?
Greg at 11:48AM on Jun 2nd 2007
5. His hand is on bill clinton's ass!
tori at 12:03PM on Jun 2nd 2007
6. My bad. Sara, you're absolutely right about Florida's governor - and I hate you for it. See you at today's show!
Tori, it is protocol when meeting a former president to grab ass.
Mo Rocca at 12:05PM on Jun 2nd 2007
7. I'm the audience member who went out on "vermeil," and I just have to say: Best. Experience. Ever.
You were hilarious!
Elizabeth at 1:07PM on Jun 2nd 2007
8. Mo,
Not to humble you too much but contrasting your President Clinton photo and the 365 Portraits.... What in the world happened?????????????????
It's obvious you'll remember the moment. Congratulations
M3Joe at 1:39PM on Jun 2nd 2007
9. You do live an exciting life. Thanks for sharing.
piglet at 6:58PM on Jun 2nd 2007
10. This is Blayze O'Brien, the last audience member contestant of last night's show and I must say.... best night of my life. Thanks Mo for all the silly pot-related jokes and the Shaggy comments while I spelled..
THERE IS NO DEFINITION!!
Blayze O'Brien at 12:39AM on Jun 3rd 2007
11. Hi Mo, Well done!! A perfect account of that unique backstage moment. Despite the crowded greenroom and hallway on Friday nite, there was plenty of room for dialogue, interaction and civility. Just what the world dearly needs.
Best, Magie Dominic
http://homepage.newschool.edu/~magie/index.html
Magie at 2:43AM on Jun 4th 2007
12. Mo,
I am jealous. I would love to meet Bill Clinton.
Sounds like a great night. Stories like yours make me wish I was a New Yorker.
Kaycie at 11:25AM on Jun 4th 2007
13. Mo,I was at the show and loved it!!! I nearly bumped into Mr. Clinton in the lobby before the show started! What could be better than Broadway and Clinton??? A Fabulous night..one to remember!!!
Vanessa at 11:28PM on Jun 4th 2007
14. Jared is 27. But I'm glad you think I look younger. See....the botox helps.
Jared Gertner at 1:52AM on Jun 6th 2007
15. Jared, you're in entertainment. You're supposed to shave years off your life. What are you doin'? Auditioning for Willy Loman?!
Magie, thanks for chiming in. yes, it was a special meeting, wasn't it?
Elizabeth, you were great. I'm so thrilled that vermeil came off so well. And might I add that you came MUCH closer than I could have imagined to spelling it correctly? Few people even know how pronounce it.
Blayze, what can I say? You're the man. You made our time on stage memorable. It's great to work with volunteers who appreciate the jokes and bring real personality. Let's do it again some time.
Mo Rocca at 4:30PM on Jun 7th 2007