The 2012 New Group gala “Cabaret Soiree”. Playwright David Rabe & Nancy Manocherian, founding Artistic Director of the cell theater in Chelsea, were presented with The Michael Mendelson Award for Outstanding Commitment to Theater. Past recipients include Wallace Shawn, Fred Wistow, Robyn Goodman, Ethan Hawke, Ruth and Stephen Hendel, Wendy Ettinger and Derek McLane.
Performers included Alan Cumming, Veanne Cox, Jay Rogers, Penny Fuller and Leslie Uggams. It was obviously a star studded event but the person I was excited about when he walked in the door to the party was Alan Rickman. I remember first seeing the British actor as “Hans”, the villain from the movie “Die Hard”. Since then his body of work included the hilarious “Galaxy Quest”, “Sweeney Todd” & the enormously successful “Harry Potter” franchise. I introduced myself as the house photographer & asked Mr. Rickman if I might take a few photos of him with some of the other guests. He knew honoree, David Rabe, as well as his daughter, the stunning actress Lily Rabe. He also knew Wallace Shawn & when the men got together they began to reminisce & crack each other up. These photos are from that wonderful, maybe 20 mins, that I spent with Alan Rickman. I was so sad to hear of his passing & will always be grateful for this experience meeting him.
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