By Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — The 92nd Street Y sent out apology letters and rebates after an event featuring actor Steve Martin was a complete bust in the eyes of the Y, according to the New York Times.
New York Times Magazine columnist Deborah Solomon interviewed Martin, who recently wrote a novel titled "An Object of Beauty," at the Y on Nov. 29, the Times reported.
The Y sold roughly 900 $50 tickets to the event which, apparently to the audience's dismay, focused mostly on Martin's book and the art world instead of his life as an actor and comedian, the paper reported.
Halfway through the interview a 92nd Street Y employee handed Solomon a note asking her to ask more questions about Martin's career, according to the Times.
Solomon asked for questions from the audience and after six or seven about his movie and tv career the hour-long interview came to an end.
But the evening was apparently not up to the Y's expectations, according to the Times.
"We acknowledge that last night’s event with Steve Martin did not meet the standard of excellence that you have come to expect from 92nd St. Y," Executive Director Sol Adler wrote in an e-mail to attendees, according to the paper.
"We planned for a more comprehensive discussion and we, too, were disappointed with the evening. We will be mailing you a $50 certificate for each ticket you purchased to last night’s event. The gift certificate can be used toward future 92Y events, pending availability."
For their parts, Martin and Solomon thought the evening was progressing well and were insulted by the e-mail and refund and said the Y never told them what the talk should cover, the paper reported.
"Frankly, you would think that an audience in New York, at the 92nd Street Y, would be interested in hearing about art and artists," Solomon told the Times in an e-mail.
"I had no idea that the Y programmers wanted me to talk to Steve instead on what it’s like to host the Oscars or appear in 'It's Complicated' with Alec Baldwin. I think the Y, which is supposedly a champion of the arts, has behaved very crassly and is reinforcing the most philistine aspects of a culture that values celebrity and award shows over art."
