The mention of Debuskey and his one-time office in the long-gone Playhouse, a theater on West 48th Street, stirred personal memories. Debuskey was helpful in my getting an office on the same floor, and we saw a lot of each other in those days, as was the case with his staff and then partner Seymour Krawitz. I cite this affirmatively, not for feeling any need for disclosure. Until his retirement Debuskey was a titan among press agents, and I’m hardly the only one who enjoyed knowing him and learned that the best thing about him in relation to work was that one could rely on his integrity, professionalism and appreciation for the finer aspects of theater.

The credits of shows he represented is staggering. Among them were many in which he especially believed, particularly if they had something important to say about our society. Debuskey asserted himself as a person of conscience as well as a skillful publicist. He stood firm against McCarthyism as it affected theater people, among others, and did more than one man’s share of pro bono work to help those under attack.

He could also be candidly acerbic, and as the biography shows, sticking by his principles and his strong desire for independence could result in severing of connections, professional and personal. This is a sad nature of the business of theater, as can be the case in the business world generally. Debuskey ran into situations in which he was disposed of after helping to build the very same institutions that shunted him aside. Simonson delineates these triumphs and disappointments, but through it all—the subtitle word “trenches” says a lot—Debuskey emerged with reputation and integrity solidly in place.

I wasn’t aware of a lot that one finds in Simonson’s account, including Debuskey’s early prowess as an athlete in lacrosse and boxing. Perhaps the combativeness contributed to his mental stamina as a press agent required to be assertive in dispensing advice that a producer may not want to hear. Such a press agent is to be valued above a yes-man, and Simonson gives various illustrations of Debuskey speaking his mind.

The book is brightened by Debuskey’s extensive comments, anecdotes and insights. The theater is rich in lore, and Debuskey as a source for the time covered is invaluable.

The theater and the business of it have changed considerably over the last half century. The old-style producer has been replaced by a battery of people who call themselves producers by way of investment and one can note that any number of shows have a small army of producers listed above the title. By reading this volume one can experience the trajectory of what has happened along the way since Debuskey began his career.

It is always a pleasure to run into Merle and his savvy wife Pearl Somner and discuss shows that we have seen. Somner has had her own career as an actress, dancer and eventually a costume designer, and the book details intriguing aspects of the couple’s relationship.

Among Debuskey’s triumphs: There would not be free Shakespeare in Central Park if not for the battle Debuskey waged along with Joe Papp against Robert Moses, who was opposed to the idea Although later differences with Papp emerged, there is a plaque at the Public Theater acknowledging Debuskey’s important contributions, and the text is reproduced in the book.

The great artist, born in 1869 and producing a wonderful array of work before his death in 1954, went through an interesting key time in his life of creativity within a four year period beginning in 1913, the years to which this current exhibition is anchored. What this show does is present 110 of the artist’s works that reveal a progression of experimentation.

The exhibit enables us to see the step by step process by which he made changes in content and form. He was inspired by other artists, such as Cézanne. In particular, for example, was Cézanne’s “Three Bathers,” which is part of the exhibit. Strolling through the new show, one can see how Matisse reworked some of his paintings to seek the effects for which he searched. When inspired by certain of his travels, notably to Spain and Morocco, his artist’s sensibility and sensitivity resulted in fresh insights and desires to incorporate experiences into future work.

They kidded each other about who is older (Ann is), but otherwise, they blended well in duets, yet made sure that each had stage time in which to shine solo. Liz’s voice is in the higher register, Ann has a smoky quality, as well as greater power intensity when she really lets go. Together they make a felicitous team, but their polished presence doesn’t make their performance seem any less natural.

As for the song choices, they appeared to be in singer heaven recalling works by so many of their respective favorites, such as Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, Carly Simon, Jimmy Webb (he was in the audience) and Stevie Wonder. They established their cemented relationship quickly as a duo with “Got to Get You Into My Life” and “Happy Together.” Liz soon soared with “Up, Up and Away,” and Ann showed her special strength with “A Case of You.”

Their show was permeated with fun, as when Liz tweaked memories with the “Star Trek” theme, and they joined on the “Batman” theme. They had a good time with “These Boots Are Meant for Walking.” They also emphasized that their youth was marked by protest songs, demonstrated in one instance with “We Shall Overcome.”

The collection of the Met includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics and prints, and spans the artist’s various creative periods, with the collection built by the museum either through its own purchases or generous donations over a period of 60 years.

Strolling through the display, as I did in a press showing, was a stunning experience. The artist’s work is arranged sensibly. One is struck by his early work, which captures the achievements of the young Picasso, and moves through his Blue and Rose periods. One sees his liking to paint subjects associated with the music halls and the theater world. One sees the veering toward cubism, and notes the strength that still exists in is later years. It reminded me in some ways of a 1970 exhibit at the Palais des Papes in Avignon, overwhelmingly wall-to-wall with large works that Picasso had painted in the last two years when he was nearly 90, yet reflected much physical as well as creative strength.

The current exhibition is intriguingly displayed, providing the opportunity to study the work. One will find in the show his “The Actor, ” the painting that was defaced but has been restored. It is a sensitive, graceful work suggesting unusual movement of its subject. There are also many portraits, and a controversial painting of a man resembling the painter himself receiving oral sex. At first Picasso said it was not painted by him, but was a joke by his friends. However, it’s authenticity as a Picasso was subsequently established.

A total of 300 photographs taken between 1929 and 1989, many of them not seen by the public before, are in this extensive show. There are, for example, his many pictures taken in China that show the trajectory of that country’s upheaval when in 1949 the Communists came to power after the defeat of the old regime. The exhibit contains impressions from his trips to the Soviet Union revealing many of the contradictions in that sprawling society.

Photographs from France are integral to his work and his life, and he captured so much of that country, from shots of ordinary folk to more glossy aspects. He also shot in Japan, although not as many examples are shown as those of China. There are images from Spain, Holland, Italy and, of course, the United States.

Cartier-Bresson also became known as an outstanding portrait photographer. His photo of writer Albert Camus, for example, would seem to be the one that has been used most frequently to accompany stories about Camus or examples of his wok. The artist took a wonderful photo of Truman Capote as a handsome young man. He captured French intellectual notables Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.

His shots of people at public events capture the drama of the moment, whether at the coronation of King George VI or at a political rally. Always we see examples of his sense of what makes a scene special by what he chooses to highlight. Oddly, apart from all of his more grandiose work, this talent is indicated by a fascinating photograph of two dogs copulating. We’ve seen such dog sex photographed many times, but what makes this particular one special is the inclusion of two other dogs watching the coupling as if they were voyeurs.

Cartier-Bresson had a varied career, including working in film with the master Jean Renoir. He also allied himself with the political left in the events of Europe during the 1930s. One gets a strong feeling of his desire to show individuals and countries with depth in this exhibit, which is divided into 13 sections.

I strongly recommend the book published in connection with this show, which in addition to containing reproductions of photographs on exhibit has excellent biographical material that informs us much about the artist’s life and talent. The book, “Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century,” the same title as the exhibition, is available in its clothbound edition for $75 and in paperback for $50. Both are at MoMA stores.

Well lit from below to give a feeling of theatrical footlights, the amazing collection of tiny but meticulously sculpted and impressively clothed figures are at once eye-catching as a group, but also demanding close-up study for their amazing artistry and resemblances to many major historical figures. These are not dolls. Each figure is carefully and creatively sculpted as commissioned by Albert.

A prominent attorney, Albert has long had a hobby of collecting miniatures. He has an impressive collection of mini furniture arranged realistically in specially designed little rooms. He has a compelling collection of miniature books. This latest exhibit contains tiny figures resembling such notables as King Louis XIV of France; Marie Antoinette; Peter Paul Rubens; Anne Boleyn; Lady Jane Grey; Henry VIII; Queen Elizabeth I; William Shakespeare; Charles Dickens; Dylan Thomas; Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, and even movie icon Ava Gardner. Among figures representing the performing arts are conceptions of Carmen, The Mikado and Dorian Gray.

There is a sense of humor apparent in the way figures are sometimes paired or revealingly dressed. And the exhibit even has amusing sculptures of Albert and his wife Margaret. In addition to the 45 annotated personage figures, there are more suggesting time periods or particular pleasures, such as a jovial figure holding wines.

The largest on display is an elaborate sculpture of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, which was created by Galia Bazylko McLaughlin, one of the artists commissioned by Albert. Others who sculpted the figures in the collection include Jill Bennett, Jamie Carrington, Cassandra Hipwell and Janet Middlebrook.

Honoree of the occasion was restaurateur and television celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, who in his acceptance speech stressed the important contribution that C-CAP was making in providing opportunities to young people in many cities. The personable master of ceremonies was CBS2 News co-anchor Maurice DuBois. The award presented to Samuelsson was a sculpture designed for C-CAP by noted artist Philip Grausman. An elaborate silent auction was supplied by donors whose bid-on contributions helped augment the total raised.

But let’s get to the gorging for goodness. Pier Sixty was lined with table after table of treats for those who bought tickets to the benefit. In addition to the restaurant personnel taking care of the crowd were past and present C-CAP students. Checking out the scene, I also wended my way sampling various signature dishes.

A favorite was the wild fowl potpie of Abigail Kirsch. I was impressed by Almond’s house cured pastrami with spicy bread and butter. Aretsky’s Patroon served dark beer braised beef brisket on a parmesan buttermilk biscuit with horseradish sauce. A lover of suckling pig, I adored Asiate’s suckling pig, smoked parsnip puree with apple yuzu kosho.

Aureole delivered delicious diver sea scallops with passion fruit sugar snap peas and chives. Barbutto’s white bean bruschetta with white anchovies and chilies was popular, and for good reason. I indulged twice with Beacon’s herb marinated lamb chops with garlic parsley crumbs. BLT Prime’s smoked strip loin with porcini puree hit the spot. Wait, I was just getting started.

Among the other dishes I sampled and enjoyed were tuna tartar spring rolls from Buddakan; smoked main lobster with crystallized ginger, ruby grapefruit and tamarind from Compass; smoked sturgeon with fingerling potatoes, leeks, oyster and American caviar from craft; seared tuna “buns” from eighty-one; seared filet mignon, haricots verts, piquillo peppers, arugula and pink peppercorn vinaigrette from Primehouse, New York, and the very rich uovo in ravioli truffle butter-- soft egg yoke filled ravioli with truffle butter and parmigiano reggiano from SD 26. I gave up on trying Shun Lee Palace’s popular Peking duck, as the lines were too long and I often enjoy it dining there in my West Side neighborhood.

Understand that these were tasting portions. Still there was a point at which I had to give up. Well, not exactly. There were still the desert tables. So on I went to enjoy Daniel’s chocolate and peanut butter ganache praline feuilletine; Gramercy Tavern’s banana cream tarts; Sarabeth’s Black Beauty—individual chocolate cake with ganache, and Oceana’s tropical fruit pudding cake.

There was also ample champagne and red and white wine to augment the feast, courtesy of The Charmer Sunbelt Group—to be specific, Piper Heidsieck champagne, Des Bressades Cabernet/Syrah 2005 and Chateau Du Tariquet Classic Blanc 2008.

Obviously it takes plenty of collaborative work to put on a lavish benefit like this. The Event Chair was Christina Grdovic, Vice-President and Publisher of Food & Wine Magazine. Vice-chairs were Judith and Stanley Zabar and Susan and Richard Grausman. Mr. Grausman is the ever-dedicated Founder and President of C-CAP and the author of "At Home With the French Classics," and for over 15 years was the U.S, representative of the renowned Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris. (The Grausmans's daughter Jennifer, is producer and director of “Pressure Cooker” in collaboration either editor/director Mark Becker, a film documenting a C-CAP cooking program in a Philadelphia high school. Having had a theatrical release, it is now due out on DVD.)

A list of the restaurants represented at the benefit, their chefs and what was served follows:

Abigail Kirsch, Philip DeMaiolo, wild fowl potpie—duck, pheasant and squab slow roasted in a rich chicken jus with cippolini onions, carrots and wild mushrooms topped with a savory buttermilk biscuit

Almond, Jason Weine, house cured pastrami with spicy bread and butter

Aquavit, Marcus Jernmark, smoked goat cheese and yellow beet roulade, red beet chutney, caramelized pistachios

Aretsky's Patroon, Bill Peet, dark beer braised beef brisket on a parmesan buttermilk biscuit, horseradish sauce

Asiate, Brandon Kida, suckling pig, smoked parsnip puree, apple yuzu kosho

Aureole, Christopher Lee, diver sea scallops with passion fruit sugar snap peas, and chives

Barbuto, Jonathan Waxman, white bean bruschetta with white anchovies and chilies

Beacon, Waldy Malouf, herb marinated lamb chops with garlic parsley crumbs

BLT Prime, Laurent Tourondel and Angel Hildago, Smoked Strip Loin / Porcini Puree

Blue Hill New York and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Dan Barber, forono beets, buttermilk and horseradish

Buddakan, Lon Symensm, tuna tartare spring rolls

Compass, Milton Enriquez,smoked maine lobster, crystallized ginger, ruby grapefruit, and tamarind

Craft , Tom Colicchio and James Tracey, smoked sturgeon with fingerling potatoes, leeks, oyster, and American caviar

Daniel, Daniel Boulud and Dominique Ansel, chocolate and peanut butter ganache praliné feuilletine

Dovetail, John Frazer, rabbit terrine, candied kumquats and beets

eighty-one, Ed Brown, seared tuna "buns"

Felidia, Fortunato Nicotra, asparagus and house cured duck prosciutto

Gilt, Justin Bogle, sunchoke veloute, cream cheese, pumpernickel, and dill

Gotham Bar and Grill Alfred Portale, cauliflower custard with santa barbara uni, trout roe and soy vinaigrette

Gramercy Tavern, Nancy Olson, banana cream tarts

Landmarc, Marc Murphy, orecchiette alla norcina - orecchiette with sausage, parmesan, rosemary and heavy cream

Michael’s, Kyung Up Lim, Braised Veal Cheek, Daikon, Fresh Horseradish, Scallion, Thyme

Nobu Fifty Seven, Matt Hoyle, lamb rosemary miso

Oceana, Jansen Chan, tropical fruit pudding cake

Olives, Alfred Stephens, faux carrot cake

Park Avenue Winter, Craig Koketsu and Kevin Lasko, crispy cones of peekytoe crab with avocado, citron and ginger

Primehouse New York, Brian O’Donohoe, seared filet mignon, haricots verts, piquillo peppers, arugula, and pink peppercorn vinaigrette

Riingo, Jimmy Lappalainen, chicken liver mousse on a toasted brioche served with Asian pear chutney

Sarabeth's, Sarabeth Levine, black beauty - individual chocolate cake with ganache

SD 26, Odette Fada, uovo in raviolo, truffle butter - soft egg yolk filled ravioli with truffle butter and parmigiano reggiano

SHO The Setai, Shaun Hergatt, three day short rib with creamy polenta

Shun Lee Palace, Michael Tong, Peking duck

Telepan, William Telepan, fallen polenta souffle with hominy and mushrooms

Union Square Café, Carmen Quagliata, ricotta gnocchi with meyer lemon and soft herbs

The force behind the concept is Susan Charlotte, best known for her popular Food For Thought series that presents stars of theater in programs featuring works of renowned authors, a series that has commanded a loyal following over the years.

There were four attractions on this particular evening, the foremost of which was a relatively unknown A. R. Gurney play, “The Love Course,” a clever work that teamed Maria Tucci as Professor Carroway and Harris Yulin as Professor Burgess, experts who have been jointly teaching a class on love at a university, a course examining classic literary works dealing with the subject of love. The professors have had a love-hate relationship themselves and explosive feelings erupt in what is meant to be their final class together.

Tucci is wonderful as the more romantic Professor Carroway, who flings sarcastic remarks at her colleague and becomes increasingly distraught. Professor Burgess is more reserved, but he becomes increasingly caught in Carroway’s web and Yulin does an impressive acting job creating and sustaining the character. Miriam Silverman is reservedly amusing as Sally, one of the students caught in the tempest, and Jake Robards is good as her boyfriend, who finds a visit to the class not at all what he expected. Gurney’s play bristles with wit and comedy while at the same time building to a life-affirming conclusion with respect to these two profs.

Frances Sternhagen was another attraction, entertainingly taking on the persona of Tallulah Bankhead in a piece titled “Tallulah Finds Her Kitchen” by Joseph Stein and Danny and Neil Simon. It is a hilarious take on Talullah trying to cook, a task presented as about as foreign to her as if she were visiting another planet. Her idea of scrambling an egg is to grasp one and shake it.

Cuisine was also a touchstone in “Menu by Jessie,” another one person performance-- Tandy Cronyn’s charmingly written (by her) recollection of her actor parents, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn. It is a warm and lively reminiscence, which she delivered with eloquence, affection and humor. Her mother was an enthusiastic good cook and her father an enthuastic eater, as evidenced in her loving take on their lives.

There were lots of mouths at work, figuratively and literally at the February 25, 2009, event held at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, as benefactors filed between the rows of tables where culinary delights from New York’s prime restaurants were offered, with leading chefs in attendance and assisted by students who have been aided by C-CAP programs in schools. These C-CAP programs have resulted in more than $25 million in scholarships being distributed since the 19-year-old organization was founded, with many students going on to important jobs in the restaurant and food industry fields.

Honoree Nieporent is the founder of The Myriad Group, which operates such noted restaurants as Tribeca Grill, Nobu, Nobu Next Door, Nobu 57, Nobu London, Centrico, Mai House, and the new Corton, as well as Crush Wine & Spirits. He was presented with an original stainless steel sculpture by noted artist Philip Grausman, brother of Richard Grausman, founder and President of C-CAP.

At the elaborate food tasting I did plenty sampling of my own. I enjoyed especially, for example, the red wine braised short rib with truffled cauliflower mousse of Tribeca Grill; the Peking duck of Shun Lee Palace; peekytoe crab with avocado and raspberries of Park Avenue Winter; wild striped bass crudo of Eighty-One; classic steak tartar with fresh baby herb salad of Aretsky’s Patroon; cold smoked salmon goat cheese potato cake from Aquavit; lobster tamarind salad of Compass; herb marinated lamb chops with garlic parsley crumbs of Beacon, lamb meatballs with red lentils from Landmarc; cauliflower tortellini braised short rib, root vegetables, parmigiano-regiano from Gotham Bar and Grill; chili rubbed brisket of beef po’boys with cabbage slaw and ancho chili mayo from Porter House New York; spicy seafood soup of Nobu Fifty Seven; chestnut horseradish soup, pear, ver jus from wd-50 and the Alaskan king crab risotto with pistachios and blood oranges from Oceana.

In the dessert department, there were the heavenly the individual cherry crumb pies of Sarabeth’s and the hazelnut semifreddo, coffee cream, amaretti crunch from Olives.

Other standout dishes were provided by Centrico, Mai House, Corton, Nobu, Primehouse New York, Dovetail, Payard Birstro, Daniel, Union Square Café, Blue Hill, Riingo, Buddakan, Gilt, Aureole, Abigail Kirsch, Tabla, Convivio, and Felidia. Champagne flowed courtesy of the Kobrand Foundation, wine was contributed by Charmer Sunbelt Group, water was from Nestle Waters North America and there was plenty of illy coffee. In addition, funds were raised with a silent auction, made possible by the generosity of various other contributors.

The chair for the benefit was Tim Zagat, publisher of the Zagat Survey Guides, and vice chairs were Carol and N. Richard Kalikow and Susan and Richard Grausman, with coordination by Harriette Rose Katz Events/Gourmet Advisory Services. Maurice Dubois, anchor of “CBS 2 News This Morning” was a congenial master of ceremonies, after gallantly stepping in for scheduled Al Roker who was called away on assignment. Television celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit and Riingo helped orchestrate the food tasting.