A Migration of Celebrities

“It’s the seventh wonder of the world,” Henry Winkler said. “The second they put on the last dab of paint, the lights go up and it’s wonderful.”

Wonderful indeed--perhaps the best ticket in town and one that only talent could buy was the pass to the Wednesday-afternoon rehearsal for opening ceremonies for Liberty Weekend.

When the rainy skies cleared Wednesday, the sun came out and the stars did too.

Much of Governor’s Island looked like a vast movie set--trailers, a large white food tent, mud waiting for sod, even a “green room” for the stars and their retinues to eat and chat.

Gregory Peck did impromptu TV interviews in the parking lot. Neil Diamond, in a baggy sweater, rehearsed “America.” Liz Taylor, wearing a neck brace reacquired after a recent injury and the most unbaggy jeans this side of Beverly Hills, listened. Around her waist, in a protective hug, was the arm of her buddy, Liberty Weekend’s executive producer, David Wolper.

Wolper--whose civility this week is as much a trademark as his omnipresent baseball cap and his enthusiasm--wandered among the hundreds of staffers putting out logistical fires, and holding just a few stars’ hands.

There were troupers--like Helen Hayes and Peck--who waited for hours to rehearse, did their bit and went back to their mobile-home dressing rooms. And then there were a few entertainers who needed a little bit of coddling and a lot of retinue. Taylor’s special needs included arranging a helicopter flight into Governor’s Island the day of the show--an arrangement that meant getting Secret Service clearance because the skies were to be free of flying craft. Wolper’s staff warned Taylor’s staff there was a “small window” through which a helicopter would be permitted to pass but that she couldn’t pull her usual tardiness.

Details. Details. Neil Diamond’s ticket requests were suddenly in the double digits. La Liz’s burgeoning group included hair stylist Jose Eber. And one very big name was so irate at having to arrive on time for the rehearsal that he portrayed it as a crime equivalent to that of Benedict Arnold’s.

But the good feelings of an almost-opening show were contagious and the stars, the setting sun and the Statue of Liberty provided the best-ever backdrop, recorded for history by Winkler, toting his home video camera. “Henry’s becoming the Ken Murray of our time,” Liberty writer Buz Kohan quipped.

Nobody took better advantage of star access than Florence Young, the owner of Nibbler’s cheese, the official cheese of Liberty Weekend, “since it was my grandmother’s recipe and she was an immigrant,” Young explained. All over Governor’s Island were tables bearing complementary cheese and miniature bagels for staff and stars. Young herself spent several hours in the Green Room, a photographer shooting her with whatever stars came in to munch.

Best line of the evening, and one that Thursday night’s audience won’t hear, was from Gary Smith, co-producer and director of the opening ceremonies. He filled in and read the speeches of the “serious” participants in the show. At one point he announced to the stands, filled with the families of the Coast Guard who are based here, “As you know, I am not the President of the United States.” He was also not ABC newscaster Ted Koppel, Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole or Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese--all of whom and more were set to participate Thursday night.

For Wolper, Smith, his partner Dwight Hemion and the thousands of technical people, the marching band, the chorus, it’s a weekend of exciting work. But there is some time to party.

Californians know how to have a good time at a historical moment. And, if they didn’t, Wolper helped teach them at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

“Friends of mine, different friends from the business, were coming,” he said. “I decided to gather them up together and shuttle them around and have them feel like they have joined the celebration. It’s the California contingent.”

Today, buddies like Anne and Kirk Douglas, David Geffen, Gene Kelly, Loewe’s Bob and Joan Tisch, Mary Lou Retton and, in addition to La Liz, one of her former husbands, Sen. John Warner, climb on board the lavish Maxim’s des Mers, the large private yacht with the same decor as the Paris establishment, which owns the yacht.

The VIPs get a chance to lunch and watch the Tall Ships--then return in the evening for the fireworks celebration.

But how are the VIPs sustaining their energy? Sean Driscoll, the co-owner of Gotham’s chic catering company, Glorious Food, has cooked up the goodies for the 2,500 select who will be on Governor’s Island for the opening hoo-haa Thursday night.

“We’ll do the obvious first--the big piece of meat, steamship round roasts, 250 pounds each. Then we’ll do medallions of salmon, Pasta Primavera, Baked Apricot Bourbon Hams with Maple Butter. It’s a James Beard recipe, which is what we wanted to do,” Driscoll said. Dessert? “Lots of little petit fours, brownies, all finger foods. It’s ‘haute cuisine fast food.’ It’s also Franco-American,” he added with just a touch of whimsy.

Today comes barbecue for the special folks on Governor’s Island. Frankfurters, corn on the cob, ribs. All done by Captain Clam, a Boston company, but under Driscoll’s supervision.

Driscoll echoed an excitement familiar to those who were part of the 1984 L.A. Olympics: “It’s a first-time experience. We’re not familiar with the logistics.” Although Driscoll normally does large events, this event involves ferrying food, equipment and staff to Governor’s Island.

WHO IS THAT MAN?--The one dressed up like the Statue of Liberty in the sketch on the front of the invite? Why it’s none other than Chuck Manatt, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He’ll get toasted--as will wife Kathy--Wednesday at the Beverly Wilshire. And, at $1,000 a head, the take goes to the DNC. Where else? (But does Chuck get to keep the crown?)

WATCH FOR--Music types are talking about Mike Mitchell, one of the key organizers of Live Aid, and his upcoming announcement of World Day, or some such title. It’s a 24-hour worldwide TV extravaganza, reportedly set for Oct. 24. And surprise! It doesn’t benefit any charity, but is apparently strictly commercial.