N.Y. spin on 'Butter'

Spike might bite on Gilman triumph

By ROBERT HOFLER

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Star Hope Davis, scribe Rebecca Gilman and helmer Daniel Sullivan at 'Butter's' Tavern on the Green afterparty

 

NEW YORK -- Spike Lee graced the Gotham opening of "Spinning Into Butter" at Lincoln Center Theater's Mitzi Newhouse, where his reaction to Rebecca Gilman's play about racism on a college campus was much anticipated. Rumors had circulated that the director was interested in a possible film version of the work.

Lee's response to "Spinning" was reportedly enthusiastic, although he never made it to the gala post-perf party at Tavern on the Green.

For her part, Gilman had more legit matters on her mind. The playwright's first party stop was at the Shuberts table where she held long talks with Pat and Gerald Schoenfeld.

As for Lee, Gilman said she had no idea about any film interest.

Otherwise, her work is everywhere: "Boy Gets Girl" opens later this season at the Manhattan Theatre Club. A third Gilman play, "The Glory of Living," had been tentatively scheduled at MCC, but got pushed back to the following season.

"Three plays in four months was just too much," the scribe said. "not that there aren't worse problems for a playwright to have."