It’s always a thrill to talk to Broadway legend Elaine Stritch who I greatly admire for her talent, her individuality, and her honesty.

If you haven’t seen her Tony-winning one-woman show Elaine Stritch at Liberty, you must! It was made into an HBO documentary and also won  an Emmy.

Speaking of Emmys, I saw Miss Stritch over the weekend at exactly the same place I saw her a year ago: at the Creative Arts Emmys where she had once again been nominated for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for her role as Alec Baldwin’s mother in 30 Rock.

Before we began to chat, I asked to take a picture of her and she obliged. As you can see, she’s got great style a style all her own.

She felt pretty sure Tina Fey would take the award for her Sarah Palin bit on SNL. But just in case, I asked Miss Sritch if she had a doozy of  acceptance speech prepared and mention that she always seems so authentic when accepting an award.

“I am authentic,” she confirmed. “That”s why I feel authentic, that’s why i look authentic. I’m not foolin’ anybody. I try. But it seems to be an impossible feat of me.”

Here is the rest of our conversation:

Q. What did you think the first time you do you yourself parodied on The Big Gay Sketch Show?

A. Oh, I thought she was adorable. You have to [exaggerate] when you imitate somebody, you have to go a little bit crazy. She went just enough, she was terrific. Very complimentary really.”

Q. Do you ever get tired of singing Ladies Who Lunch because we love hearing it.
A Yes. Just like you get tired of interviewing me.
Q. No I don’t, not you.

A. Oh yes you do. At the end of the day, you’re tired of interviewing, you want to go home. At the end of the day, I want to sing Ladies Who Lunch once in awhile. I did it every night for two-and-a-half years so I’d like to make the spaces larger between renditions.”

Q. What else you have going on right now besides your annual Emmy nomination?

A.  I have new cabaret at the Cafe Carsyle in New York on January 4, four weeks, Elaine Stritch sings Sondheim One Song at a Time.

Q. . Do you tell stories in between?

A. Oh yes.

Q Will you bring it out here at all? We’ll come!
A. Well, you know they have to ask me first. And they have to have a place that’s chic. You need a good cabaret. Michael Feinstein tried to swing it but it’s tough out here. After 9 p.m., everybody’s dreaming of their Emmys.

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