It was not a tribute to me (though they ended with songs from Les Miz, so really, it was like it was all for me) but in fact a tribute to the KC's first chairman Roger L. Stevens who was a visionary theatre producer. Now people through around the term "visionary" a lot, but this man in fact was. I mean the guy backed West Side Story when no one else would in order to give them more time to develop it. Well that one worked out okay. He also insisted that the KC get royalties as the original producer of Annie prior to its Broadway run (that lasted six years - the original Annie performed last night as well) - so I think that was pretty smart too. So yes, in fact this man was visionary and an excellent business man and a patron of the arts of the kind that is really only seen in America. Anyway, a good excuse for a gala.
Maybe it's because it was the last one and the pressure is off somewhat, but I enjoyed last night more than the others. No, it didn't have the glitz of Honors - though there were many noted government types there clearly noted by their Secret Service details - but standing in the hot, humid breeze after the show up on the rooftop terrace and looking out at the monuments lit up, was a beautiful night and a fitting close to what has felt like five minutes and five years all at once.
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