And Barbara Hearst Call Home-Sweet

by Edward Callahan Photo’s by The sprawling Bridgehampton aerie that John (Bunky) and Barbara Hearst call home-sweet- home was the setting for one of the summer's most gracious, least pretentious cocktail soirees, celebrating the life and legacy of a true American treasure, the late Stella Adler. The legendary theatrical family, the Adlers, has influenced American theater for a century, over four generations. The legacy of the family con- tinues with the internationally famed Stella Adler Studio of Acting named for its late founder, whom many believe was the greatest acting teacher in the country. To celebrate Stella and announce the Studio's 2003 awards, the Hearsts and their good pals Roy Scheider, Ellen Adler, Brenda Seimer Eli and Anne Jackson Wallach Roy and Brenda Scheider welcomed a "Stella" roster of old friends, alumni and supporters to the Hearst's wooded enclave for an evening of sparkling conversation, readings and music, celebrating the spirit of Stella and the vital cul- tural center that bears her name, The Stella Adler School of Acting. Ellen Adler, kicked off the evening with the announcement of the recipients of the presti- gious awards named in honor of her mother and family: to Steven Spielberg, The Jacob Adler Aw a rd for courageous contributions to American culture; to Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, The Group Theater Award, for prolific achieve- ment in theater, film and television; and to John Travolta the highly coveted Stella Adler Award, for consummate interpretation of the Stanislavski/Adler technique. Roy Scheider, an alumni and now co-chairman Bob and Glady Niederlander Geraldine Newman and Kevin Conway of the famed Studio, gave a short, but power- ful, reading from the writings of Adler's late Later Joanne Edelman, director of Student husband, the esteemed drama critic H a ro l d Affairs, spoke about the schools planned C l u r m a n, who with Adler co-founded the scholarship programs, expansion of com- ground breaking Group Theater. munity outreach and the hoped for acquisition of a new building to allow for Old family friend Phyllis Newman read one of the development of the Harold Cluman Stella's famous letters of encouragement to a Theater Laboratory. young student, who clearly took her advice to heart. The student, Milton Justice, a successful Fundraising efforts towards these goals theatrical producer and now Yale drama pro- will kick off on November 17 with a gala fessor, smiled appreciatively as the words writ- d i n n e r / a w a rds ceremony "Stella by ten over twenty years ago by his late mentor Starlight" at the Rainbow Room, at were read by Newman. Truly, at that moment which time the 2003 Stella Adler Studio Stella was there over looking the potato fields of Acting Aw a rds will be pre s e n t e d . and ocean she so sorely missed when she went Honorary Chairman, Marlon Brando, co- to Hollywood. chairmen Mike Medavoy and Roy Scheider are spearheading the campaign. Among the stellar crowd in attendance were: Elizabeth Fondaras, Frank Langella, Pia Lindstrom, A highlight of the evening is certain to be Eli Wallach & Anne Jackson, John Gruen, Bonnie the star-studded trubute to A m e r i c a n Pfeifer & Charles Evans, Stan Herman, The Musical Theater organized by Scheider Marshall Brickmans, Mary Skillern, Kevin and esteemed director Gordon Hunt, C o n w a y, Marcie Bloom, Cornelia Foss, Gail father of Oscar winner Helen Hunt. Elaine and Jimmy Kay Furman, Dina Merrill & Ted Hartley, Bob Balaban & Lynn Grossman and Mercedes Ruehl. Black Tie International • 30.

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