Bradley Cooper showed up to a VIP reception for Diane Paulus, director of “Finding Neverland,” the day after seeing her Broadway musical.
Spies at the Lambs Club lunch said: “Bradley loved the show and wanted to come see Diane and thank her. He especially loved the way she used ‘low-tech effects’” to bring the world of “Peter Pan” playwright J.M. Barrie to life. Cooper saw the show with Russian model Irina Shayk.
Also at the lunch to toast an upcoming US tour of “Finding Neverland” were Anna Wintour, Joe Torre, Glenn Close and Zac Posen.
John Gore told the gathering of producing Paulus’ Tony-winning revivals of “Hair,” “Porgy and Bess” and “Pippin,” “I think ‘revival’ is the wrong kind of word. ‘Renaissance’ is the right word.” And he took a swipe at critics of “Finding Neverland,” saying, “Dear me, when you [aim to] entertain people, it’s a crime against humanity!”
He ended with, “And now a message from the queen” before Helen Mirren — starring on Broadway in “The Audience” as Queen Elizabeth II — popped up on a video screen, praising Paulus’ show.