Photo credit: Janet Donovan
Call it what you may – karma, serendipity, luck, happenstance, a fluke – it was certainly ironic that Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Cuban born mega entertainer Desi Arnaz, was at the White House when the President announced diplomatic relations with Cuba.
In town for her performance in “Pippin” at the National Theatre, the actress put it this way: “What? Wait. I came here for lunch today,” she said referring to her visit at the White House, “and this is the day that this happened? What are the chances? And then I turned it into a bad “I Love Lucy” show episode where I almost refused to leave the office. I wanted to say thank you. I wanted so bad to just shake his hand and thank him and say ‘this is pretty funny that Desi Arnaz’s daughter is here the day you decide to announce it’ – how weird is that?”
Lucie Arnaz
Arnaz was the guest of Capitol File for an intimate lunch at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in downtown Washington, DC and was joined by Broadway’s original “Pippin” John Rubinstein. Guests enjoyed the casual interaction with the stars while dining on Salmon Au Poivre, Crab Stuffed Shrimp, Wild Mushroom Mac & Cheese and HAVANA Dream Pie, which didn’t go unnoticed.
John Rubinstein and Lucie Arnaz
The two Broadway legends pull off a dazzling show, best said by Gary Tischler of The Georgetowner: “All of it is tremendously entertaining, involving at a level where sensation lies.”
“The ensemble cast tells the story of Pippin, a young prince who longs to find passion and adventure in his life. To prove his loyalty to his distracted father, King Charles, Pippin goes to war. But when the Leading Player convinces the prince to fight tyranny, Pippin kills Charles and takes over the throne. Realizing his mistake, Pippin begs the Leading Player to bring his father back to life, and she obliges. The prince falls in love with Catherine, a widow with a young son, and (much to the Leading Player’s chagrin), Pippin struggles to decide whether he should settle down and pursue a peaceful life or continue to make magic with the dazzling troupe of performers.” Broadway.com
Gallery & slider photo credit: Terry Shapiro
Tickets available here for performances up to January 4th.
Hollywood on the Potomac sat down with Lucie Arnaz to discuss her role as Berthe, her stamina and courage, her co-star John Rubinstein as well as Cuba, which was understandably an emotioinal time for her:
“Pippin the Musical”
