And there he is, between Daphna and me. Whew! How can a person be so talented on so many levels, gorgeous and really nice? Very impressive!

He is the epitome of a consummate showman. I like his work as an actor. But his singing and dancing and interaction with the audience is really special. Richard (a hard sell when it comes to theatre) said it was the most enjoyable evening of musical theatre he’d ever seen. Jackman goes out into the audience, brought a dude named Ed (in jeans) up on the stage and got him to sing; as “Man From Oz,” dressed in gold lame, he went into an upper box and sang from a guy’s lap.

With Paul Boon and Nathan Mundraby, the didgeridoo players who performed with Hugh and Olive Knight, a respected vocal artist, activist and spokesperson for Australia's Indigenous people.

He had a wonderful section about Australia with indigenous performers and talked about Nomad Two Worlds, a non-profit that works with aboriginals, their culture and community and work in crisis zones like Japan and Haiti.

Harvey Keitel, director Daphna Kastner, me and Richard

It was a wonderful evening. But, speaking of evenings, I cannot believe I forgot to write about the fantastic fundraiser we had on Thursday night for The Women’s Media Center. It was a HUGE success, raising lots of money, bringing together a house full of women powerhouses, Sheryl Sandberg, Lekha Singh, Arianna Huffington, Victoria Jackson, Pat Mitchell, and many others. My pal Wanda Sykes, was the very funny M.C. Awards were given to outstanding and brave journalists and media women. I presented to CBS correspondent, Lara Logan, who was sexually assaulted in Egypt during the uprising and had the guts to talk about it. Many female correspondents who work in conflict zones are assaulted but—out of shame, fear for their jobs, and retribution —stay silent. Lara spoke up and it has made a difference for other women, giving them the courage to speak. Gloria Steinem said, at one point, the media bosses say “’we don’t want to send women into conflict zones because they may get hurt.’ I’ll feel okay about that when they say, ‘we don’t want to send men into conflict zones because they may get hurt!’” At which point, Wanda (who was sitting next to me) grabbed my knee and almost yelled, “I get it, Jane! Now I get it!” Gloria has that remarkable way of finding just the right words to help us all ‘get it.’

The wonderful Soledad O’Brian received an award and spoke movingly. Maggie Wilderotter, Chair and CEO of Frontiers Media, gave a really impressive speech in accepting her Media Woman of the Year Award.

For those who don’t know us, The Women’s Media Center works to make women and girls visible and powerful in the media. We do it by promoting women as subjects and decision-makers within the media, training women and girls so they are media-ready and media-savvy, exposing sexism in the media, and creating innovative new media and original content. One of our programs is called “Name it, Change it,” pointing to the fact that we can never change anything in the world unless we recognize what it is and call out its name.

Media is a central part of our culture, forming our consciousness, telling us much about who we are and how we are supposed to be in the world. If women are denigrated through sexism or simply omitted from the discussion; if the media does not see the issues that impact our lives from a woman’s perspective as well as a man’s, if women don’t see themselves reflected equally and wholly in the media we will be disadvantaged and the culture in general will be diminished and it will be far harder to solve our problems. It’s not just a question of having female faces as newscasters (though that’s important), but right now, the people who decide what stories will be told and from what perspective are almost all men. Behind the scenes, in positions of heft, women make up only 3% of the jobs. This is just Wrong! The WMC works to change this. Check out our website.

Richard and I gave a party for uber music man, Clive Davis. Lots of friends and family…about 70-80 in all. IT was a lot of fun.

Right before the party, I introduced Diane Warren in a taped PBS Special honoring her that will air soon. Diane is one of, if not THE most successful songwriters in music history. Her songs have sold more than Elvis, the Beatles and Elton combined. Richard produced her first hit with her–”Rhythm of the Night” –sung by DeBarge.

Yesterday I rehearsed the 4 DVD exercise programs I will tape next week—for 7 hours!!! I am sore, let me tell you.

Today I took my daughter, soon-to-be-son-in-law, grandkids, Rod and Penny Stewart and their son, Daphna and Harvey Keitel and their son, all to brunch and magic shows at the Magic Castle where I have long been a member. I LOVE magic and they have the best magicians. In a private show for our group, magician Andrew Goldenhersh, let two of the men strap him into a straight jacket with his hands bound. He held two raw eggs inside the jacket. He managed to get himself out of the straight jacket and, in place of the eggs, he pulled two while chickens out!!! His butterfly tattoo turned into a real butterfly an flew away! And so much more. Why oh why didn’t I have my camera!!

I will soon go to bed cause I am up at 6am to get ready for taping.

See you next time.

Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe who played Precious—brilliantly!!

Queen Latifah, Me and Richard

Richard, Me and Lenny Kravitz

We saw “Precious“, the remarkable, powerful film directed by Lee Daniels. It opened the New York Film Festival. I read the book, “Push” —by Sapphire–more than a decade ago and felt it to be one of the most powerful, provocative books ever. The film is very good. I am grateful that it has been made and that Oprah and Tyler Perry have stepped up to help ensure it’s distribution. I wish everyone could see it. I’m thinking back over the years to the (white) men, usually business men, who asked me why my organization did “all these programs for those girls? You’re just rewarding them for their bad behavior.” It has taken time, patience and a great deal of faith to try and prove to them that most of the “girls” weren’t “bad.” They were victims who had been on the receiving end of so much dehumanizing, brutal, cruel behavior, then ignored, cast aside. They needed care and attention not more demonizing. The movie is wonderful in how it subtly shows that hope and confidence can bloom in someone when a little love and attention is sent their way. At least two Oscar worthy performances: Gabourey Sidibe is Precious and stand-up comedian, Mo’Nique, is jaw-dropping as her mother, Mary. Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz are excellent as well. Bravo to all!!!

The next night was went to the opening of Carrie Fisher’s “Wishful Drinking.” We had a big group—Troy, Simone, Harvey and Daphna Keitel, Pat Mitchell, Kenny Vance, Claudia Potempkin, Annette and Joe Allen, and more. I meant to take pictures but, as often happens when I’m having fun, I forgot to take any. Carrie was hysterical. I’ve seen an earlier version and was surprised to see how well she’s tightened it up and made it resonate for folks who aren’t of Hollywood. Given her uniquely dysfunctional childhood, one reviewer said it is amazing how she makes the audience feel she is just like them. It’s a must see. So is “Precious”.

Daphna, Harvey, Daphna’s mother, Richard, me and Eve Ensler

Daphna and Harvey Keitel

Then two more glorious days of great food and much fun with Richard’s friends and mine—we had a reunion party with the cast of “33 Variations” and Moises, the author and director. I’m very moved by the fact that Richard’s friends from childhood, High school and college still love him and stay in touch…same with old girlfriends.

33 Variations cast reunion

33 Variations cast reunion

Richard signing doo wop with Kenny Vance. Kenny had long been Richard’s friend. They both had singing groups back in the late fifties...Richard’s was The Escorts, Kenny’s was the Planetones...still is...still sounding like dream

Cannot believe that, except for the photo of Richard singing with Kenny Vance, I forgot to take any pictures. Shame on me.

See You Next TIme