The Persian Room Presents

Book excerpt: Ever since Patty Farmer was a little girl, she dreamed of living at the Plaza--just like Eloise of storybook fame. Decades later, she realized that dream when she moved into an apartment on the eighth floor of the famed hotel and became more passionate than ever about immersing herself in its history. She soon discovered that one of the most magical places within the Plaza now exists only in memory: the nightclub known as the Persian Room. For more than forty years, from 1934 to 1975, the Persian Room was the place to be in New York City. An unparalleled array of performers graced its stage--everyone from the incomparable Hildegarde and Kay Thompson to Julie Wilson, Andy Williams, Lainie Kazan, and Michelle Lee. And, though more than three decades have passed since the final ovation, there are many from both sides of the footlights who remember this extravagant nightclub with great fondness. To create this unique and memorable oral history, Farmer traveled far and wide to meet the Persian Room's most popular stars and collect their precious memories. Over the course of three years, these idols of the past and present opened their homes and hearts to her, relishing the opportunity to share cherished moments from their long careers. Many contributed photos and memorabilia from their personal collections as well, making The Persian Room Presents... a vivid journey through the stars elegant history. Among the many stars who generously gave their time are Andy Williams, Marge Champion, Polly Bergen, Diahann Carroll, Connie Stevens, Lesley Gore, Patti Page, Carol Lawrence, Michelle Lee, Lainie Kazan, Julie Wilson, Tony Butala, Tony Sandler, Celeste Holm, Kaye Ballard, Jack Jones, and Roslyn Kind. Don Dellair shared funny and touching tales of both Hildegarde and Liberace. Hilary Knight--the legendary illustrator who brought Eloise to life--spoke wistfully of Kay Thompson and Lisa Kirk. Each offered his or her own perspective on the club, but they all agreed on one thing: There was no place on Earth like the Persian Room and there never will be.