by Sandi Durell

The Outer Critics Circle held their 66th Annual Awards Party at Sardi’s on Thursday May 26.  It’s the warm, fuzzy Award event where the winners have already been announced, show up and are sprinkled throughout the room at the tables among the audience.

 

After a welcoming by President Simon Saltzman, the Awards moved along quickly featuring presenters Victoria Clark, Sheldon Harnick, Alex Sharp, Marlo Thomas and Barry Grove.

 

There were several insightful remarks from winners (check out the attached video), for instance, Steve Martin, upon accepting the Marjorie Gunner Award for Bright Star, with Edie Brickell at his side,wanted to know why he’s never received a caricature at Sardi’s.  Well, perhaps, now he will!

 

Danny Burstein was frank when he said he reads all his reviews and knows everyone in the room. . . hmmm.

 

Jane Krakowski was thrilled to be back on Broadway and in the same space with the amazing Sheldon Harnick.

 

But the most emotional words came from Frank Langella (The Father), accepting as Outstanding Actor in a Play, when he honestly admitted being paralyzed with fear, deep in the lion’s mouth, unable to memorize his lines, feeling humiliated and desperate with previews a week away. He sat down with director, Doug Hughes, who offered up these words of wisdom . . . “stop running, stop fighting so hard, just go in there and live inside your pain.”  When Langella stopped running, he climbed into the lion’s mouth without fear.  This was one of the most honest, heartfelt statements I’ve heard from an actor. Bravo Frank Langella!

 

Enjoy the video clips (by Sandi Durell) of speech highlights and photos (by JK Clarke)!