Click here for photos from Saturday night’s My Darlin New Orleans Benefit.
Saturday night the cast and crew of Treme turned on the charm and focused their cameras on the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic (NOMC). Leveraging their production skills and industry connections, the show’s creators and producers staged a celebrity auction and gala event to raise awareness and much needed funds for NOMC. The organizing forces behind the scenes at Treme have dedicated both time and money to the local non-profit in hopes that “the production’s legacy in New Orleans might result in something more tangible than viewer ratings or critical reviews.”
Producer David Simon. Photo by Golden G. Richard III.
The red carpet affair sold out Generations Hall, drawing dedicated Musicians’ Clinic supporters, stars and the starry-eyed, well-heeled and wild. The relationship between the non-profit foundation and the new HBO show is proving to be a synergistic one on many levels. One of Treme’s storylines revolves around a jazz musician and his return to help his family in post-K New Orleans; the show has contributed cash and a provided showcase for many local musicians who have been featured throughout the series.
As the cast members made their way down the red carpet, stopping for interviews and photographs, they talked as much about the time they had spent in the city and the culture here as the show itself. Khandi Alexander (formerly on CSI and E.R.), who plays Ladonna on the show, appeared in a perfect black mini dress, flashed a dazzling smile and slipped inside to catch Lionel Ferbos. Kim Dickens (The Blind Side) spent her time talking with the television crews about her character – a female chef – and working with Susan Spicer to develop the role. Bethany Bultman, president of the NOMC, stood near the entrance beaming, shaking hands and giving hugs as the crowd continued to pour in. The only person who gave or got more hugs during the evening was Lil’ Queenie.
Treme’s writer and co-producer, Eric Overmyer, hovered nearby surveying the scene not unlike an expectant father. With kind eyes and Einstein hair, he came across as being rather unassuming for a guy whose TV cred includes successful shows like Law & Order and The Wire. John Goodman, as large and loud and lovable in person as he is on the screen, came over gave him a reassuring squeeze and steered him toward the cameras. “They are so much nicer here,” he said, indicating the press. “They are so polite – it’s so different. It’s great isn’t it? It’s going to be okay, really!” And then, perhaps to show his appreciation or just because he was so good at it, he proceeded to clown around and make silly faces.
Inside the hall, the auction was in full swing, fueled by excellent cocktails, an open bar and John Boutte on the bandstand. Bidders circled the silent auction tables trying to decide which among the hundreds of celebrity goods to bring home with them. Among the favorites were the Malcolm X poster signed by Spike Lee (who was spotted mingling in the crowd), the purple Manolo Blahnik sandals, a guitar signed by Bruce Springsteen, a Herman Leonard photograph of Louis Armstrong, a fedora autographed by Dr. John, and suite tickets to a Saints game. John Goodman set the tone for generosity by taking a bid on a Michalopoulos from $50 to $1,000 with one stroke of his pen.
To cap the evening off, native New Orleanian Wendell Pierce (also of The Wire) jumped on stage with enthusiasm and used his deep voice as an auctioneer to drive up the bids for live auction items. Pierce, who has been working with the creators on the making of Treme observed, “Most Hollywood people would take a story about New Orleans and try to adapt it for TV. These guys took what they knew about the TV show format and adapted it for New Orleans. They are trying hard to get it right. This production is bringing in a lot of money for the city. The musicians are the heartbeat of this city and we are trying to do whatever we can to give something back to them.”
While the fundraiser was clearly a success, both Overmyer and Goodman, who have or had residences in New Orleans for years, are anxious to see if the series will be accepted by locals, and if it will pick up enough audience nationwide for the show to continue for another season. “We should know within the first few weeks,” said Overmyer with a nervous laugh. For anyone wondering what to do with their TV until Saints season begins, Treme is scheduled to premiere on HBO April 11. If it turns out that the creators have cheated a bit in telling the story, it seems certain that they will have done it for the sake of beauty. Should Treme make it to next season, it’s likely that locals can also look forward to attending NOMC’s My Darlin’ New Orleans Celebrity Auction, Part Deux.
