Pasta, Vino for Family of Fans

Rabid fans of “The Sopranos” flocked to the Atlas Supper Club in the mid-Wilshire area the other night for red wine, baked ziti, Sinatra and a new episode of the smoking HBO series.

The party was one of several that the cable network has sponsored around the country, open to any fans who responded to an ad that ran in several weeklies. What I found most interesting about the event was the crowd’s diversity: white, black, young, old, mothers and daughters, scantily dressed singles, and even people who’d never seen the show.

“I don’t even have HBO,” said Deana Baudonnet of Huntington Beach, who was grooving to Sinatra-look- alike Michael B. Levin while waiting in the buffet line. “I saw an ad for the party and it sounded like fun. If we like it,” she said, “we’ll get HBO.”

A “Sopranos” trivia contest gave fans a chance to show off (even though the questions were pretty easy). I mean, really--”What happens to Big Pussy [actor Vincent Pastore] when he tries to run from the Feds?” (Anyone who watches the show knows he threw his back out.)

Guests at HBO’s “Sopranos” party in West Orange, N.J., were treated to a visit from the entire cast. But only one member of the family joined the L.A. shindig: David Proval, who plays Ritchie Aprile, a character to be introduced on Sunday’s show. (For those who can’t wait: Aprile’s brother was a mob boss who died of cancer last season, and Ritchie is coming back to claim what’s his--Tony Soprano’s position in the family.)

“But getting the part was a double-edged sword,” said Proval, who looks like Al Pacino (when Pacino’s having a good day.) “I was thrilled, of course, but intimidated by the writing and the magnificent ensemble.”

Last year, when HBO showed episodes of “Sex and the City” at a party, no one paid much attention to the monitors. But fans treated the episode of “The Sopranos” previewed at Thursday’s party as serious business. All eyes were riveted on the big screen--from the opening music, which many sang along to, to the credits.

Revelers poured into the night, inspecting their grab bags. Discovering a box of pasta in his bag, one fan said, “Cool! Tony macaroni!”

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Glamour magazine’s new West Coast beauty and fitness editor, Jennifer Meyer, was feted recently by editor in chief Bonnie Fuller at Le Colonial in West Hollywood. The Glamourpuss’ papa is Universal Studios President Ron Meyer, so there were some guests one wouldn’t normally expect to be at such an affair, including Leonardo why-do-we-care-where-you-always-are-but-we-do DiCaprio, and rappers Nas and Heavy D.

Glamour ought to get some serious mileage out of this relationship. In fact, Fuller and her Glamour crew are hosting the premiere party for Leo’s upcoming movie “The Beach” in the middle of next month’s fashion week in New York. As Tony Soprano can tell you, it’s all about family.

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The Beverly Center has installed six computer kiosks to help shoppers learn about sales and coupons at mall stores. The touch-screen computers can also provide amusement for bored husbands and boyfriends in the form of news headlines, stock quotes and sports scores. Registered users may swipe their cards at the kiosk to pull up their personal page, featuring promotions tailored to the individual. Just what I need, a gizmo that makes it easier to spend money.

Booth Moore can be reached at booth.moore@latimes.com.