PartyLines- photographs by Patrick McMullan

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Opening Night of ‘Elling’ on Broadway

The Ethel Barrymore Theatre and Soho House. November 21. By Bennett Marcus

Tonight was your Broadway debut. How did it go? “Uh, I didn’t vomit.” —Brendan Fraser

SAM ROCKWELL

Have you seen your co-star Denis O’Hare in True Blood? “I haven’t seen all his episodes, but my friends keep quoting him. They’re like, ‘You’re working with that guy? I’m going to eat you and your children!’” —Jennifer Coolidge

VICTOR GARBER

Any funny moments in previews? “Brendan [Fraser] has a thing where he puts underwear on, and then he says, “How do I look?” And some girl in the audience said, “Awesome!” And the audience laughed for about five minutes. It was wonderful.” —Richard Easton

ANGELA LANSBURY

Denis O’Hare is in True Blood. Would you like to play a vampire? “No, I think I’m more peaceful. I’d play a victim instead.” —Rachel Dratch

JAMIE LYNN SIGLER

You and Brendan Fraser play odd-couple roommates. Could you be real-life roommates? “He’d have to shower more.” —Denis O’Hare

T.R. KNIGHT

Have you ever had a weird roommate situation? “In college, yes. He was a football player and I wanted to study theater. I’d be singing show tunes in the shower—[sings] Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping…—and he says, “Oklahoma? I thought you were from California.” —George Takei

RALPH FIENNES (Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

What did you think when you heard Brendan Fraser was going to be in the play? “Excited. I really liked his film work when he’s acting and not having to run around and get shot, like Gods and Monsters. I wondered if he was going to be sort of a diva, because he’s a movie star, but he’s really humble and sweet.” —Jeremy Shamos

LESLIE BIBB

Ever have a weird roommate situation? “My freshman year in college, I was with a Marine ROTC who would get up in the morning and go climb buildings. He had a snake named “Chesty Puller,” who was a famed Marine, and in Marine lore you have to say, “Good night Chesty, wherever you are.” Anyway, my roommate would say this to his snake.” —Brian d’Arcy James

KATE JENNINGS GRANT (Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

Any funny roommate stories in your past? “No. Fortunately, I’ve never had one. I’ve had some odd boyfriends, but we’re not here to talk about that.”

You’ve never had a roommate? “I was an only child, and I like to keep it that way.” —Blair Brown

PAUL HAGGIS (Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

JAN MAXWELL

What kinds of things do Vampire Diaries fans ask you? “They want me to bite them. That’s the obvious one, but it really does occur. Like, often.”

Do you ever oblige? “Uh, I bit a girl on the arm once. She was really happy. Don’t ask. People that ask me to bite them don’t quite exactly fit the category of normal to begin with.” —Paul Wesley

RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON

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