Stars watch Elaine Stritch's swan song at New York's Cafe Carlyle
New York theater institutions don't come much feistier or more dynamic than Elaine Stritch. The tart-tongued, 88-year-old force of nature -- whose stage career includes memorable collaborations with Stephen Sondheim and Edward Albee -- kicked off her farewell series of cabaret performances this week at the Cafe Carlyle.