Last night the recession was nowhere to be seen at the lavish opening party for West Side Story. It felt like old-time Broadway -- just like the classical musical being feted at Pier 60 on the Hudson. I couldn't walk ten steps without running into a roast beef carving station and after guests like Harvey Weinstein, Georgina Chapman, Rachel Dratch, Kathleen Turner and Vanessa Williams filled up, the cast and their families and friends took to the dance floor salsa style. It was very "The Dance at the Gym"-esque and I waited for someone to cry out "Mambo!"

Although Maria played by the Argentinian import Josefina Scaglione, is the star of the show, the "it girl" of the night was Karen Olivo who got rave reviews for her fiery portrayal of Anita. Olivo looked gorgeous in a long gold Grecian number, and her signature long black hair was down and flowing. Sometimes I don't agree with the choices Broadway actresses make for their opening night dresses. It's really a time for them to shine, and Olivo definitely did. She hung out with her former In the Heights castmates including Lin-Manuel Miranda who translated parts of the book for West Side Story into Spanish for an updated twist on the well-known script.

Other cuties in the crowd were Curtis Holbrook, who plays Action (and can be seen in PAPER's upcoming Beautiful People issue looking very handsome), was there with his fiancee who he met while performing in Xanadu. John Patrick Shanley, the screenwriter recently nominated for an Oscar for his film adaptation of Doubt, was there chatting up a cute blonde. When I spotted him my friend informed he's a well known womanizer! I had no idea but more power to you JPS. And what are you doing later? Just kidding. Cody Green who plays Riff is more my style, but alas, he too has a girlfriend.

91-year-old director Arthur Laurents, who also wrote the book for West Side Story, was in party mode, holding court at a long center table. Not in sight however was Stephen Sondheim, the only other living West Side Story collaborator. He and Laurents apparently no longer speak.

Pictured is George Akram (Bernardo), Karen Olivo (Anita), Matt Cavenaugh (Tony), Josefina Scaglione (Maria) and Cody Green (Riff), at the opening night party and during curtain call for last night's performance.