Imelda Marcos: Born in 1929, Imelda Marcos was married to the of dictator of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled from 1965 until he was finally ousted in 1986. Mrs. Marcos was known for her lavish spending (many believe the money was stolen from the Philippine people) and is believed to have owned more than 3000 pairs of shoes (which are now in a museum--pictured to the right). She was tried for, but acquitted of, racketeering and illegal transfer of money in multiple countries.
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Joan and David: Founded by Joan and David Helpurn in 1968, this designer shoe company promoted the idea that women’s shoes could be both stylish and comfortable. Although it achieved massive popularity into the 1980s with Madonna, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie O all sporting the brand, the company went under in 2000.
Al Capone: Al Capone (1899-1947) was an Italian American gangster and crime boss based in Chicago during the Prohibition Era. Although his crimes are believed to include everything from the illegal manufacture, sale, and distribution of liquor to ordering the executions of seven members of a rival mob, which came to be known as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, the only significant sentence he served was for tax evasion.
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Joan Crawford: Joan Crawford (1905-1977) was an American actress known for such films as The Women, Mildred Pierce (for which she won an Oscar) and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Mildred Pierce: James M. Cain’s fourth novel, Mildred Pierce, was published in 1941 to critical acclaim. It tells the story of a Depression-era woman raising two daughters on her own after her husband loses his job and leaves her. In 1945, Michael Curtiz directed a film version starring Joan Crawford in the title role. In 2011, HBO released a mini-series adaptation starring Kate Winslet.
Janet Leigh: Leigh (1927-2004) was an American actress best known for the infamous “shower scene” in Psycho and for being the mother of actress Jamie Lee Curtis. Some of her other films include The Manchurian Candidate and Little Women.
encephalitis: This is a dangerous inflammation of the brain. Causes for this condition range from several types of virus, a bacterial infection, or an overactive immune system.
Amarone (ah-mah-ROH-nay): Amarone della Valpolicella is a dry red Italian wine that generally costs around $50 or more per bottle.
Contrampo: This seems to be a reference “Contempo Casuals,” a trendy teen’s/women’s clothing chain that reached its height of popularity in the 1980s and early 90s, but disappeared in 2001.
George Stephanopoulos: George Stephanopoulos is an American journalist, political commentator, and former advisor to President Bill Clinton. Like the lawyer in the play that Haley compares to him, he has ties to Columbia University (he’s an alumnus). To the right is an image of Stephanopoulos in 2003.
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Lutèce: Haley is referring to a popular French restaurant in New York City, famous for its Alsatian tart. Hailed by Julia Child as the “best restaurant in the United States,” the 60 seat restaurant has been featured in movies, plays, and novels. After over forty years, it closed in 2004.
Phil Jackson: Phil Jackson is a former professional basketball player for the New York Knicks, coach of the Chicago Bulls, and was coaching the LA Lakers in 2003, when the play takes place. He also worked as an executive in the NBA until 2017.