Partying Is in Sync at the Callboard Theater

The Scene: A luxurious and tasteful reception after the opening performance of “I Could Go On Lip-Synching!” Thursday night at the Callboard Theatre in West Hollywood. The one-man show (which began in New York’s East Village) stars John Epperson as the Hollywood glamour puss Lypsinka, pantomiming to songs and sound bites taken from sources ranging from “Valley of the Dolls” to “Connie Francis Sings Jewish Favorites.”

The Buzz: No one seemed to be able to quite put their finger on the appeal of Lypsinka and why the show is so funny. Calling Epperson a lip-syncing man in a cocktail dress somehow misses the point; it’s like calling “Citizen Kane” the story of a man and his sled.

Who Was There: Edie Adams, actress Swoosie Kurtz, Sheryl Lee of “Twin Peaks,” designer Bob Mackie, TV hostess Arlene Sorkin, artist Allee Willis, and Andy Warhol discovery Holly Woodlawn. Oh, and Madonna, who is one of the investors in the show.

Dress Code: Restrained for the most part, although one man came in a costume that was half Elvis impersonator half outer-space leisure suit. Madonna was dressed casually.

Favors: Every guest got a complimentary package of Lypsinka brand “Kiss Me Stupid” wax lips.

Noted: It was fun watching the crowd try to be cool about taking snapshots of Madonna. People would walk by, pretending not to see her (as if anyone could miss Madonna in a 99-seat theater), and then casually raise their cameras for a quick snap before dashing away. When the star had finally had enough, she sighed, “OK, let’s go. Where’s my entourage?”

Quoted: When a tall striking woman in an elaborate gown strutted her way into the theater, one of Madonna’s entourage asked, “Is that a girl or a guy?” Madonna didn’t care--she just yelled, “Work that dress, girlfriend!”

Triumphs: The lobby was cleverly decorated with pictures of Lypsinka superimposed in historical photos: Lypsinka having lunch with the Roosevelts, meeting Mother Teresa and testifying before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Glitches: Given Lypsinka’s image, it would have been nice if the party had been a major blowout for a thousand people at Chasen’s, not just a white wine reception on the stage of an Equity-waiver theater.