Josh Radnor At The New York Stage & Film 2018 Winter Gala: PHOTOS

The New York Stage & Film's annual Winter Gala celebrated 34 years of service to the American stage and screen yesterday evening at the Plaza hotel. The star-studded event was attended by Josh Radnor, Tony Shalhoub, John Slattery and more.

Daniela's Lens was there to capture all the action:

5:45 pm

There is a long line in front of the Plaza hotel. I ignore it and walk right up to the entrance. I never stand in line or wait to get into an event. The doorman sees me and opens the rope stanchion. "Hey, I know you!" he says.

Yes! And every socialite's dream comes true in this second: The doorman at one of the chicest hotels in the world recognizes me. And I haven't even spent a single dollar here, ever. I couldn't care less, though.

I was more excited when the bus driver in my crappy neighboorhood in Jersey City started remembering that I arrive with a very late PATH train. You know you made a step up when the bus waits for you on default.

6:00 pm
I'm on the red carpet. Let's do this.

6:12 pm
Caitlin Kinnunen and Angie Schworer

6:13 pm
Bonnie Milligan

"Everybody is wearing black tonight!" one of the photographers says. "I don't understand this. It's terrible!"

And he repeats at least five more times: "Why are they wearing black? Why are they wearing black?"

He is very upset.

I get it. Black dresses are a disaster in photos. It's boring. No magazine will ever print a photo of a celebrity in a black dress.

"It's like a funeral!" he goes on.

"I wish every publicist and every stylist would hammer it home to every new client multiple times a day: Don't wear black," I say.

Unless you are Jennifer Lopez, your chances of getting published anywhere in a black dress are zero.

And black is the color of the working class at events. Event organizers, public relations, photographers and staff wear black. It's how you distinguish who is working and who is a guest.

6:15 pm

Krystina Alabado

"Can you explain to me why women wear black at all?" the photographer is still agitated.

"They think it's chic. It's a safe choice. It also hides your body if you're not comfortable." I say.

"Why would any woman want to hide her body, ever?" he says.

And then there is the myth of the 'little black dress.' That term was invented in the 1920s before there was color photography! Today, the little black dress screams staff, it's not a fashion statement.

The photographer is rolling his eyes. "I won't sell any photos tonight; it's a waste of time."

6:17 pm
Max Vernon is doing it so much better than the women tonight! That's a look!

6:18 pm

Josh Radnor. Do you remember him from 'How I Met Your Mother' ?

6:20 pm

Another photo because he looks so good tonight.

6:22 pm

Tony Shalhoub and Brooke Adams. Aww, cute couple!

6:23 pm

Amy Aquino.

"She is so funny!" one of the photographers says. "So funny!"

6:24 pm

Talisa Balsam and John Slattery.

I loved John in 'Mad Men'!

6:31 pm

Griffin Dunne

6:41 pm
Jennifer Westfeldt looks good tonight and she is not wearing black!

"She looks so sexy!" somebody says, and in the same breath he turns to me and asks: "Am I still allowed to say that?" He looks concerned.

"Yes, of course," I say. "But only because you're gay."

Daniela Kirsch is an entertainment photographer and founder of NameFace — an event photo agency based in New York City. Through her creative expertise and unique visual style, Kirsch not only knows more than a thing or two about photographing A-list events, but is forever changing the way we interact with the entertainment industry. In June 2018, Kirsch teamed up with Patch to launch the photo series Daniela's Lens, offering weekly features from local events to red carpet magic.
Check out more coverage from Daniela's Lens here:

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