There's nothing I hate more than missing a party; actually there's nothing I hate more than not being invited to a party. Lyle West, former child star, now real star, had a birthday party at Derek Wills' loft this past week. Everyone was there except me, but as usual, I had my spies. BTW that loft should be put on any self-respecting tour of New York City landmarks; the place is a palace with views of the Empire State Building and old hardwood floors from Indonesia or somewhere equally exotic and illegal. And not only was the party great, but the guests got a surprise... an impromptu performance from "Marilyn the Musical." Apparently, Ivy Lynn did a rendition of "I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn't Love to Howl," a song from the show, with Tom Levitt on the piano. For the uninitiated, this is one of those things that JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN... except at parties like this! And the number was... spectacular.

They really are making quick progress over there at rehearsals it seems, but I do hear things are not as smooth as that one number. Ms. Houston's book appears to be in some state of flux, and according to one ensemble member, Ms. Cartwright, for all her naivete and youth, appears to be impressing. Some people just aren't meant to be in the pack. I'm beginning to think that might be true for Ms. Cartwright, but Ms. Lynn's not going down without a fight, and somehow I think that fight is going to involve Derek Wills; after all, he is the alpha male of Marilyn and an alpha male needs his alpha female.