Speaking of buildings, the legendary Plaza Hotel in Central Park will be going co-op. The hotel will retain a couple hundred rooms and the rest will be converted to luxury residences. The ground floor will also house many new upscale shops, but the famed Oak Room will stay. One of New York’s traditions, brunch at the Palm Court will no longer be served after the end of April. So Rick Ford, Fifi and I paid our last homage to this grand old landmark for just one last twirl.

I was really in town for the Night of a Thousand Gowns, the annual coronation ball of the Imperial Court of New York, which I was one of the original incorporators of. The coronation in New York is the most elegant ball in the entire court system, with all the attending glitz and glamour. Special guest performers included Martha Wash, Deborah Cox and the casts from the Broadway show La Cage aux Folles. Representing the Imperial Court de San Diego were Empress Nicole, who is also queen mother of the N.Y. Court, Emperor Chris, Empress Lala Too, Imperial Crown Prince Adrian, Imperial Crown Princess Regina, and other past monarchs including Robi Cox, Cristina Monet, Fifi and Rick Ford. Also in attendance were Dr. Greg Scott, Richard Britton and Shawn Ingram.

My trip to New York is never complete without catching a show on Broadway. This time, I took in two plays – Steel Magnolias and Doubt. Some of you may remember Steel Magnolias the movie, with Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field and Olympia Dukakis. I remember the original stage version produced by the WPA Theatre back in 1987 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Greenwich Village. Like I said, I was a mere child then. This new Broadway version stars Delta Burke, one of our favorite Sugarbakers of “Designing Women,” and a strong cast which includes Marsha Mason, Christine Ebersole and Frances Sternhagen. Now if you were a Steel Magnolias fan, this would be like watching the Rocky Horror Picture Show when you expect the famous one-liners to come on. Remember, “I love you more than my luggage,” or “If you have nothing good to say about anybody, come sit next to me,” and how about “All gay men are named Steve, Rick and Michael, and they all have track lighting.” Delta was not her feisty self in this role, but the ensemble cast delivered strong performances, which left the entire theater sobbing towards the end of the show, especially Ms. Fifi.

The best play of the season has got to be Doubt, by John Patrick Shanley, which just won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for drama. He also wrote the script for Moonstruck, for which he won an Oscar for best screenplay. Doubt stars Cherry Jones (Broadway: The Heiress, Imaginary Friends, Angels in America) who plays Sister Aloysius, a stern, strong-minded and bitter nun who runs the St. Nicholas Church School in the Bronx in 1964. She suspects Father Flynn, played by Brian O’Bryne, of improper conduct with a schoolboy. Despite the fact that all she has is her gut feeling and no proof of his indiscretion, she is determined to get rid of the priest. She is even willing to lie to get her truth. Father Flynn strongly protests her actions, but in the end, gives up in defeat and moves to another church. In the end, many lives are destroyed because of her doubt. The play also stars Heather Goldenhersh as the young Sister James, whose spirit and faith is shattered by the older nun’s manipulations. I was with Heather’s mom, who lives in San Diego, on the plane at the LAX airport waiting to take off when the call about the Pulitzer Prize came in. No play has ever left me feeling so angry that at curtain call, I was afraid to applaud Ms. Jones for her brilliant performance for fear that it might be misconstrued as an approval of the behavior of her character. I know this doesn’t make sense, but this play will bring out so many mixed emotions and passions. And quite timely, if I may add!

Another development on the great white way is that Daniel Davis, the butler from “The Nanny,” was fired as the lead (George) from the show La Cage. The New York Post reported that Mr. Davis was let go last Sunday for obnoxious behavior. If you are going to New York, try to catch the show with the understudy before Robert Goulet takes over mid-May. This show is in deep trouble.

Having a good run, on the other hand, is Bruce Villanch in Hairspray, taking over the role of Edna Turnblad from Harvey Fierstein, who’s moved on to Fiddler on the Roof. Bruce has grown into the role and is bringing the house down with his adlibs, like, “This dress is a hand me down from Camilla Parker Bowles,” or when he came out in a red dress out of a gigantic can of hairspray, “I look like Barbara Bush just fell into a raspberry patch in Fire Island.”

Next time, I hope to catch Spamalot, the musical based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail and starring David Hyde Pierce and Tim Curry.

It seems that Mayor Bloomberg is doing a citywide Guilliani-like cleanup, and not in a good way. All of the tranny bars, like Edelweiss and Now Bar, are closed. Now he’s on the go-go boy bar mission. Stella’s closed down a year ago, and last week Le Fluer was padlocked. The worst is that after 30 years, the Gaiety Theater (the only male strip theater left in New York) also closed down two weeks ago. Thank god for bars like SBNY (Splash Bar New York), and their hunky dancers. I practically lived there all of last week, especially their famous Men’s Room Saturday. My friend, porn star promoter Aaron Tanner, gives new meaning to the term “washroom.” Check it out next time. Thanks to owners Brian and his godlike boyfriend, Greg, for their hospitality. SBNY remains the best gay dance bar in all of New York.

Rich’s Go-Go Fridays is one hot night out. No cover with military ID or local gym card, and $2.75 well drinks all night long. This Saturday, April 9, is the seventh-anniversary party for Sabbat. On Saturday, April 16, L.L. Bear will be having Body Party. Show off you tattoos, piercings and brandings.

The Brass Rail starts a brand new Tuesday night party called Laundry Night! on April 12. Strip down to you underwear and enjoy all sorts of drink specials all night long. There is no cover and a free clothes check at the door. There will be door prizes and giveaways for those in their undies! Remember, no tiki – no shirt. Ironing and starch cost extra. Bourbon Street’s Softball Sundays is in full swing, with Ophelia holding court. Just don’t let her get too close to your balls.

The Flame will be burning up with the super-hot DJ Kimberly S on Friday, April 8.

Break out the catnip! Numbers’ popular girls night, Bad Kitties, has been the cat’s meow for two years now. On Friday, April 8, there will be a champagne toast, and the ever-popular Pussy Posse! Purple and gold attire is requested.

Nicole hosts the Body Idol contest at Bacchus House on Friday nights at 11:00 p.m. $175 cash prize to the winner.

Email me your thoughts and comments at coco@cocolachine.com.