Chapter 16: Three Ring Circus

Interlude: 25^th Anniversary

Cindy:

There was a lot of press in New Jersey, but nothing compares to the Big Apple for turning up the spotlights. Articles appeared in an array of publications, several of them having nothing to do with weddings.

Friday 9:22 PM—broadway.com/divawatch/martel

The wandering diva has returned to Manhattan. The occasion was the much talked about "Amish" wedding in New Jersey. Miss Martel hosted a party to introduce the bride, Sheila Schwartz, to the cream of Big Apple theater and dance. Some needed no introduction. No less a light than Susan Farwell knew Miss Schwartz from years ago.

Senior Times critic Jordan Edwards explained. Miss Martel and Miss Schwartz were recruited to do parts for a Lincoln Center production of The Nutcracker. Miss Martel was one of the elves, but Miss Schwartz, at age 14, danced the famous Sugar Plum Fairy opposite Susan Farwell. This was the first time Manhattan was able to meet the other half of the duet. This is not to say that Manhattan had not heard of Miss Schwartz. Miss Farwell frequently refers to the event.

One of the most common phrases of the evening, "She's the one..." There were at least three versions. The odd one came from the press coverage, notably the cameramen. Miss Schwartz had something to do with a famous catalog. The theater version was that she was Francine Martel's role model. That one is confusing, since Martel is several years older. I already mentioned that Susan Farwell had spoken of her often. Clearly that story has wide penetration in ballet circles.

It begs the question, where has Miss Schwartz been for more than a decade? In some ways it is a good question. Even in a room full of stellar ballet talent, Miss Schwartz epitomized grace and poise. Indeed, Miss Martel freely admits that Miss Schwartz was her role model, in spite of the age difference. So, why did Miss Martel go on to a great career, while her teenage friend languished in obscurity? In a word, physics. Miss Schwartz has an impressive bust. In the world of top level ballet, the extra top weight matters. When Susan Farwell spoke of Miss Schwartz, it was with regret for what might have been.

This is divawatch, Francine Martel's page. But for tonight, we wish Sheila Schwartz, non-diva, the best of luck.

Friday 10:03—tonkovichemilia@uniquebride.com

Friday 11:53 PM—tabbycat15@hotmail.com

I think I've seen her. It has to be her, the submissive from Tuesday in Brooklyn. She was with Francine Martel and the tall woman. I was working a party at Civitanos. Francine Martel reserved the special room for a house party. I never gave her a thought, until I saw the bruising.

There was this girl. She looked about 25, wearing an adorable faux convent-school outfit—long blue skirt and school blouse with three inch red soled heels and candyapple red lipstick. She had her hair in pig tails. The only thing missing were glasses. Anyway, the skirt was almost full length and she wore hose, but I could see her calves every once in a while. There was this pattern of bruising, like piano keys, that showed through the hose. The only thing that makes a stripe like that is a whip, and a cat would make a bunch at once.

I think she was with the tall one. It was hard to tell, because both she and Martel spent the evening introducing someone named Schwartz. There were a lot of actors and dancers and they had all heard of her. It's too bad the Mistress was not with them. This girl was way too saucy to be at heel, plus she spent most of the evening by herself, though that sounds wrong. She enjoyed watching everything—a lot. She watched and took lots of pictures. She even caught me watching her and winked. I would have followed when she went to the restroom, but my boss was watching.