On Thursday, Nov 10, author and humorist Fran Lebowitz came to the Pabst Theater as a part of her “a conversation with Fran Lebowitz” tour. The night began with a half hour interview led by WTMJ’s Vince Vitrano. Vince welcomed Lebowitz on stage then asked her questions about her experience living in New York while the wave of Covid-19 lockdowns were coming to the shores.
“It was a strange time,” said Lebowitz. “At my age, there’s not many things that don’t remind you of something else. This didn’t remind me of anything else I’ve experienced.” She went on to describe her experience walking around an empty New York City. “It was the first time in decades I could hear my footsteps,” she said. Lebowitz also mentioned her friend, the late Toni Morrison. “Toni would know how to think about this,” said Lebowitz. “I didn’t even know how to wrap my head around what was happening. She would be able to.”
After Vitrano left the stage, Lebowitz took to the podium to open the audience-led question and answer segment of the show. Fans and spectators jumped at the chance to ask Fran questions that ranged from what she thought of the January 6 insurrection, to her favorite cuisines. Fran answered audience questions for about an hour. During that time, she brought up her appreciation for independent bookstores.
“There used to be dozens of bookstores in Midtown that would stay open to 11 p.m. or midnight,” said Lebowitz. “We need more bookstores. When I tour, I always ask that fans purchase my book through their local bookstore, not through the publisher.”
Lebowitz made good on that promise. At the show, sellers from Downer Street’s Boswell Books were selling copies of Lebowitz’s compilation, “The Fran Lebowitz Reader.” Audience members who purchased the book were welcome to stay after the show for a meet and greet with Lebowitz.