It's that time again: the moment when I sort through all the conversational exchanges I've jotted down in the lobby - before, during, and after performances of a Lincoln Center Theater production. In this case, "Other Desert Cities" at the Booth. To wit:
Man Wearing Beret: Do you think there will ever be a movie sequel to "Grease"? Stockard Channing was so good in the original as Rizzo.
Woman Friend: There was a sequel. "Grease 2." Starring Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Man: But no Rizzo?
Woman Friend: No Rizzo. But there was Lorna Luft!
* * * *
Woman In Fur Coat: It's so cold outside that I'm glad to be here seeing a play set in a warm climate.
Her Friend: Have you ever been to Palm Springs this time of year? The nights are freezing!
Woman in Fur Coat: Nonsense. It's never freezing in south Florida.
Her Friend: The play isn't set in Florida. It's set in California.
Woman in Fur Coat: Oh. I thought it was odd that they kept talking about the desert.
* * * *
Woman In Black Heels: That Judith Light has certainly aged well. She barely looks a day older than when she was in "Who's the Boss?"
Other Woman: Has she made a deal with the devil?
Woman in Black Heels: God, no. She's one of the most philanthropic people on the planet. A saint!
Other Woman: A deal with God, then.
* * * *
Man in Leather Jacket: What's your favorite Stacy Keach role?
Other Man: As Mike Hammer, on TV. You?
Man in Leather Jacket: King Lear.
Other Man: You're only saying that because we're at the theater.
Man in Leather Jacket: Oh, no. He KILLED in that part.
* * * *
Teenager: Mom, the Playbill says that the guy who directed this play also directed "Wicked."
Mom: That's right. He's very versatile and talented.
Teenager: Does that mean that there will be a musical version of "Other Desert Cities"?
Mom: Maybe. But they'd have to change the title.
Teenager: To?
Mom: "Desire Under The Palms."
* * * *
Young Woman: Rachel Griffiths is one of my favorite actresses. Is it true that she's Australian?
Other Young Woman: Yes, that's true.
Young Woman: How is she able to do American accents so well?
Other Young Woman: Doing accents is part of an actor's training. Plus, she's played Americans for ten years on television.
Young Woman: The Australians probably think she's gone over to the enemy now.
Other Young Woman: The U.S. and Australia have never been enemies. They've always been one of our strongest allies.
Young Woman: The bond between former English colonies, I guess.
Other Young Woman: But they're still a colony.
Young Woman: How so?
Other Young Woman: The queen's on their money, isn't she?
Brendan Lemon is the American theater critic for the Financial Times and the editor of lemonwade.com.
