Articles — Lisa Birnbach

Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum

THE washington post - June 29, 2024

The ‘nice lady’ next door who was actually a crime boss

Lisa Birnbach’s review of Margalit Fox’s new book. “The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum - The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss”

Fredericka Mandelbaum made a fortune skirting the law in Gilded Age New York. Margalit Fox’s new book, “The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum,” tells the fascinating true tale.

The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Ky., features a 500-foot-long reproduction of Noah’s ark. Sarah Krasnostein talked to scientists at the attraction who believed that dinosaurs were among the pairs of animals on the biblical vessel. (Luke Sharrett/For The Washington Post)

• THE washington post - March 11, 2022

Compassionate portraits of people with faith — in aliens, ghosts and God

Lisa Birnbach reviews Sarah Krasnostein’s new book “The Believer: Encounters With the Beginning, the End, and Our Place in the Middle,”

Lisa says “Once upon a time — I’d say it was during the George H.W. Bush administration — I had the idea to write a book about women whose lives were circumscribed by their commitment to their religious beliefs and practices. … I’m sorry I never wrote that (note to my agent: whaddya think?), but if I had, I wasn’t planning on including people who claimed to communicate with the dead, people who believed in UFOs, yeti hunters or ghostbusters. And no members of cults or for-profit organizations like Scientology.

Krasnostein’s generous and compassionate book, “The Believer: Encounters With the Beginning, the End, and Our Place in the Middle,” recounts her experiences with followers of eccentric or, let’s say, science fiction beliefs as well as many Christians, all of whom are treated with respect. …. READ MORE at the Washington Post.

Tony Yazbeck, Carmen Cusack and Harry Hadden-Paton on the stage of the Vivian Beaumont Theater, where “Flying Over Sunset”, Credit...Justin J Wee for The New York Times

• The New York Times - November 17, 2021

Up, Up and Away: The Trippy Tales Behind ‘Flying Over Sunset’

Lisa Birnbach examines how LSD, Cary Grant, Aldous Huxley and Clare Boothe Luce all came together to create a fabulous new musical by James Lapine, Michael Korie and Tom Kitt (and a little inspiration from Stephen Sondheim).

Read or Listen to the article: HERE

Miss New York Nia Franklin, center, celebrates after being crowned Miss America on Sept. 9, 2018, in Atlantic City. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

• The Washington Post - september 10, 2021

Big hair, big dreams: Behind the curtain at the Miss America pageant

Lisa Birnbach’s review of Amy Argetsinger’s new book, THERE SHE WAS - The Secret History of Miss America.

Tucker Carlson speaks during a debate at Politicon in Los Angeles in 2018. Like a good preppy, he’s wearing khakis. Unlike a good preppy, he’s spinning lies. (Christian Monterrosa/Sipa USA via AP)

The Washington Post - August 6, 2021

Tucker Carlson’s many, many sins against the preppy code

The Fox News host was raised to know better.

Lisa Birnbach roasts the popular Fox News spreader of lies.

Publisher William Morrow Paperbacks

• The Washington Post - March 5, 2021

Meet the forgotten rebels and quiet revolutionaries of women’s history

Lisa Birnbach’s review of Rosalind Miles new book, The Women’s History of the Modern World: How Radicals, Rebels and Everywomen Revolutionized the Last 200 Years.

Randy Quaid as Falstaff, in “Lone Star Love”

• The New York Times - October 29, 2020

Among the casualties of the current Broadway shutdown are shows in previews that will never officially open, as well as those whose futures are still in limbo. This is the first of a series looking at the curious history of five shows aimed for Broadway that never got to opening night.

A Not-So-Merry Mix: Shakespeare, Bluegrass and Randy Quaid

Shows stumble and fall on the way to Broadway all the time. Then there’s “Lone Star Love,” which after nearly two decades as a regional-theater staple, finally crashed thanks to the mercurial behavior of its star, which resulted in his lifetime banishment from Actors’ Equity.

Plaid men: A window display at the Madison Avenue flagship store in the 1960s.Credit...via Brooks Brothers

• The New York Times - August 24, 2020

Save Brooks Brothers!

Lisa Birnbach, the editor of “The Official Preppy Handbook” mourns the decline of a 202-year-old institution.

Click here to view a PDF of the article.

• shondaland.com - October 22, 2019

The Cartoon Character That Gave a Young Girl Permission to be Herself

Author Lisa Birnbach — one of many contributors to the anthology collection 'The Peanuts Papers' — reflects on a seminal childhood moment when Lucy van Pelt helped a helplessly uncool third-grader be someone she thought she never would and never could.

EXCERPT

Ruth Bader Ginsburg teaching at Columbia Law School. (Courtesy of Columbia Law School)

• The Washington Post - October 18, 2019

In praise of the older women who shaped American history

Lisa Birnbach’s review of Gail Collins’s new book, “No Stopping Us Now,” subtitled, “The Adventures of Older Women in American History.”

© Medium.com - Illustration by Hokyoung Kim

• Medium.com - September 27, 2019

Where Were You When Christine Blasey Ford Told Her Story?

One year later, 10 women recount an unforgettable day on Capitol Hill.

Lisa Birnbach joins 9 other incredible women recounting the day of September 27, 2018 when Christine Blasey Ford entered the hearing room of the Senate Judiciary Committee and told her story about being sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in the summer of 1982 when she was 15.

Photo: © Harpers Bazaar - VICTOR VIRGILE - GETTY IMAGES

• Harpers BazAar - August 27, 2019

The Return of Preppy Fashion

The Official Preppy Handbook author Lisa Birnbach reflects on Celine’s fall collection.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, arrive at the 1999 “Newman’s Own-George Awards” in New York. (Photo by Mike Segar/Reuters)

The Washington Post - July 11, 2019

The almost-charmed life of JFK Jr.

Lisa Birnbach’s review of Steven Gillion’s book, America’s Reluctant Prince: The Life of John F. Kennedy, Jr.

• The New York Times - May 29, 2019

They’re Playing Our Song

Ron and Staci Schnell have a special affection for Marvin Hamlisch’s romantic musical — even after seeing it 25 times. It’s a love story.

By Lisa Birnbach

Allison V. Smith for The New York Times

The illustrious E. Jean Carroll - Illustration by João Fazenda

• The New yorker - April 22, 2019

A Hideous-Men Walking Tour

The advice columnist E. Jean Carroll leads a brave group through the haunts of Donald Trump, Bill Cosby, and other gropers and grabbers.

By Lisa Birnbach

TC June July 2018 B.jpg

• Town & Country Magazine - June/July 2018

How a Jimmy Choo-clad Greenwich lady found herself scouring the country’s toughest neighborhoods for guns.

Image courtesy of Svend Petersen

• Vanity Fair - April 18, 2017

The Viral Campaign to Save a Beverly Hills Hotel Legend from Homelessness

What ever happened to legendary Cabana King Svend Petersen?

https://www.gofundme.com/SvendPetersen

Mark Ruffalo at the American Airlines Theater. CreditDamon Winter/The New York Times

• The New York Times - March 1, 2017

Mark Ruffalo, the Actor’s Activist, Is Back on Broadway in ‘The Price’

Lisa Birnbach interviews Mark Ruffalo, who (after an 11 year absence) returns to Broadway in Arthur Miller’s The Price.

From Robert S. Anderson’s The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows: The First 100 Years; For Details go to VF.com/Credits

• Vanity Fair - February 14, 2017

When Poolside Phone Calls Were the Ultimate Status Symbol at the Beverly Hills Hotel

Lisa Birnbach recalls her wide-eyed days at the pink-stucco Hollywood hot spot.

Photo Credit: Deidre Schoo for the New York Times

• Town and Country - February 9, 2017

One Mother Puts Her Foot Down on the Subject of the Bandage Dress

The skin-tight mini, like the selfie stick, isn't going anywhere (alas). That doesn't mean you have to buy one for your daughter.

Lisa Birnbach and her father, Maks L. Birnbach, on her wedding day, Sept. 13, 1987CREDIT FRED MARCUS STUDIO — Lisa Birnbach and her father, Maks L. Birnbach, on her wedding day, Sept. 13, 1987
CREDIT FRED MARCUS STUDIO

• The new York times - february 7, 2017

my big fat 80's wedding dress

In honor of 165 years of wedding announcements, The New York Times introduced a month-long series of essays and articles by prominent writers - including Lisa Birnbach

• TOWN & COUNTRY - SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

The lost chapter of the Preppy Handbook

FOUND! After thirty-six years, Lisa shares the lost chapter The Official Preppy Handbook.

Photo Credit: Ryan Pfluger for The New York Times

• NEW YORK TIMES - SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

Between 'Transparent' Seasons, Judith Light Isn't Playing Nice.

Lisa’s revealing interview with Judith Light who stars in Neil LaBute’s latest play, All the Ways to Say I Love You

The 'Cats' ensemble rehearsing in June. Photo credit: Richard Termine for The New York Times

NEW YORK TIMES - July 20, 2016

We Love 'cats.' we hate 'cats.'

Lisa's take on the current revival of 'CATS' on Broadway.

New York Magazine - May 16, 2016

21 Notables on the Clothes That Take Them Back in Time

New York Magazine asked Bette Midler, Jenna Lyons, Diane Von Furstenberg, Lisa Birnbach and other notables on what they wore during life's defining moments. Here's Lisa's take.

View the entire piece online HERE.

William Ryerson/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

Vanity Fair - April 28, 2016

How Sweet Briar Came Back from Financial Ruin and Proved Women’s Colleges Are Still Relevant

Single-sex schools would seem outdated in this era of post-feminism, gender fluidity, and skyrocketing tuitions. Instead Wellesley, Smith, Barnard, and others are seeing a resurgence.

New York Times - January 3, 2016

Three Theater Stalwarts, Together at Last, Talk Mom

New York Times - December 17, 2015

Cocktail Napkins Take a Trendy Turn

New York Times - October 4, 2015

Ryan and Ali and Me: 'Love Story' Stars Reunite, and a Fan Squeezes In

Medium - August 25, 2015

Traveling My Way

Newsweek Magazine - May 13, 2015

Paul Shaffer: Life After Letterman

New York Magazine - The Cut - April 24, 2015

What the Lilly Pulitzer Outrage Gets Wrong

Dame Magazine - March 31, 2015

Pop Quiz! Is This Poet a Beat? A Bot? Or a Birnbach?

Psychology Today – January 6, 2015

The Wunderkind Club

Dame Magazine – July 29, 2014

Roberta P. Is Missing

Dame Magazine – June 18, 2014

The Brooke Astor of France Is the New Nigerian Prince

The New Yorker – May 12, 2014 – Page 36

Early Bird: The Awesomeness of Walking Backwards

The New Yorker – May 20, 2014

If You Let Your Teen-Age Daughter Sleep In on a School Day

Yahoo.com TRAVEL - May 8, 2014

Would You Spend $180,000 For a Seat On This Jet? We’re Not Kidding. It’s a Real Thing

Yahoo.com TRAVEL – April 27, 2014

A Preppy Survival Guide: How to Travel Like a Civilized Human Being

1stdibs – March 12, 2014

Charmed, I’m Sure

Screen Shot 2014-10-21 at 5.27.34 PM.png

McSweeneys – February 27, 2014

The New Yorker -–July 29, 2013

Note to Fellow Residents of 703 West End Avenue

The New Yorker – May 17, 2013

The New Yorker - April 22, 2013

Toast of the Town