Geffen Gala Gabfest

Tawdry tales were told Monday night at the Geffen Playhouse's annual fundraiser "Backstage at the Geffen" in Westwood.  Thesp Roma Downey dished on a former inebriated co-star; Julie Andrews recalled the time Rex Harrison accidentally passed gas on stage during their performance of "My Fair Lady," saying, "he was a windy fellow"; and comedian Bruce Vilanch told of a near Oscar show disaster in 1993 involving Dolly Parton's well known assets.

On a more serious note, the evening honored Annette Bening and Disney's Robert Iger. Angelica Houston presented Bening with her award and director Julie Taymor was on hand to give Iger his kudo. When accepting his accolade, Iger took a moment to honor Taymor saying, "No one deserves more credit for where Disney is in the theater today than you," he said. " 'The Lion King' has been seen around the world, the stage play, by over 45 million people in the last ten years. I don't think anyone has done more for this art form than you have on a global basis." (M. McNiece)

- Pictured above: Julie Andrews; left: Annette Bening and Warren Beatty (FilmMagic)