Actress Emily Mortimer with Consulting Chef Michael Schlow, left, and 606 Congress Restaurant Chef Toby Hill, right. (Photo by Roger Farrington)
 

The grand opening of the new Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel was celebrated with a star-studded party that was held in conjunction with "Boston Common" magazine.

More than 350 guests enjoyed continuing the Celtic's recent victory celebration while mingling with "magazine cover" celebrity, actress Emily Mortimer, and noshing on delectables prepared by consulting chef Michael Schlow and the hotel's 606 Congress restaurant chef Toby Hill.

The signature Renaissance Cocktail Culture martini of the evening, "The Seventeeni," was created in celebration of the Boston Celtics' 17th NBA Championship.

The sleek 21-story Renaissance, with a building profile resembling the sails of a ship, features 471 guestrooms, 21 suites and two ballrooms.

Among the VIP guests were Red Sox owner John Henry; Attorney Bob Crowe; Mistral owner Seth Greenberg; novelist Ben Mezrich and Tonya Mezrich; Rita Cuddihy, senior vice president, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts; Terri Stanley, executive editor, "Boston Common magazine"; and Jason Binn, founder and CEO, Niche Media-to name a very few.

Free Shakespeare Performances at Gore Place

Gore Place, the historic Governor Gore estate in Waltham, will be the site of a series of performances of William Shakespeare's classic "Romeo and Juliet" by the Lonesome Coyote Theater Company.

The play, starring Dan Rios as Romeo and Alycia Sacco as Juliet, will be performed outdoors without costumes or sets but will include some original music. Performances will be August 21 through August 24, Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. Admission is free.

We are all invited to bring our own blanket or chairs. To check on last-minute weather cancellations, call 978-314-6403.

Gore Place is located at 52 Gore Street, just off Route 20 (Main Street) near the Waltham/Watertown line. For more information, call 781-894-2798 or visit the museum's Web site at www.goreplace.org.

Esther Nelson to lead Boston Lyric Opera

Steven P. Akin, Chairman of the Board of Boston Lyric Opera (BLO), has announced that Esther Nelson will become BLO's new General & Artistic Director effective September 2, 2008.

Current General Director Janice Mancini Del Sesto will facilitate Ms. Nelson's transition into the organization. The appointment follows an eight-month executive search precipitated by Ms. Del Sesto's announcement in November 2007 to complete her tenure at BLO at the end of her contract.

Ms. Nelson has been an On-site Evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts, an outside consultant for OPERA America, an evaluation panelist for the New York State Council of the Arts, and a frequent panelist and speaker.

"I am delighted that our succession plan for my departure has resulted in the appointment of Esther Nelson," Ms. Del Sesto said. "During her tenure at Glimmerglass, one of BLO's co-production partners, I had a wonderful working relationship with her and gained great respect for her leadership, her intelligence, her aesthetic sense, and her warmth and sense of humor. I am so pleased she will succeed me and I'm committed to ensuring BLO's ongoing success by facilitating a smooth transition in leadership over the next few months."

Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson to Appear During Provincetown Festival

Patrons of the third annual "Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival" will be in for a treat when they have the opportunity to enjoy coffee with veteran stage and screen stars Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson.

The famous duo will offer insight into the work of Tennessee Williams in a conversation over coffee on the final day of the weekend celebration of the work, life and legacy of America's great playwright.

"Coffee with Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson" is a special private program for Williams Pass holders and Festival donors, set for Sunday, September 28 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fine Arts Work Center.

"The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival" takes place Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, September 28, at various venues in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Additional details on the schedule of performances and events will be announced.

Festival passes, including access to all 12 shows, are available online at www.twptown.org or through 1-866-789-TENN (8366). Audience members can also become patrons by purchasing a Williams Pass, which includes tickets to all performances as well as access to exclusive parties and events, and more.

For more information, including new details on Festival performances and events as they become available, visit www.twptown.org.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
is compiled from various other sources such as news releases, PRNewswire services, etc.

bostonevents.com    bostontravel.com    bostongardens.com    bostonautos.com