What’s it like to spend an evening at the Oscars? Even better, how would you like to sit next to Sting at the Oscars? Most people can only wonder, but one West Windsor resident and his wife experienced the glamor firsthand this year. “If any tickets are available, my bags are packed,” Stewart Nemser, a chiropractor, often told one of his patients, a production manager and former North Brunswick resident who left the area close to 10 years ago for a career move with a production company. The company is affiliated with many award shows including the Oscars, Grammys, and performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. In December, the patient had a sprained neck and consulted Nemser for treatment.
Soon after, Nemser received two free tickets to the Academy Award celebration held at the Kodak Theater on Sunday, February 29. Built expressively for the Oscar event, the Kodak Theater is located at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. With a seating capacity of 3,”400 with three balcony levels, Stewart and his wife, Irene, received tickets in the fifth row. Before going to California, they were required to complete confidential questionnaires for security purposes and background checks.
Nemser, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, has a little bit of the movies in his own family background. His father was an elementary school principal and a colonel in the U.S. Army. His mother worked for Twentieth Century Fox. Early in her career, she changed her name from Rabinowitz to Rabin, as it was easier for her to get a job with her new name. “She was always interested in the movie industry,” says Stewart. His Aunt Rose worked for Deluxe Cinema.
This was the couple’s third trip to California. Both Irene and Stewart are Trekkies and frequently attend conventions and events for Star Track fans. Their first trip to California was to a Star Track convention in Pasadena.
They stayed at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, which is connected to the Kodak Theater. When they arrived at the hotel on Friday, they spotted actor Eugene Levy and movie critic Roger Ebert in the lobby. They got their own “star treatment,” when the hotel management, due to adminstrative complications, upgraded them to a suite — the Nemsers raved about the immense room and amenities.
On Saturday, they spent the day in Malibu with a former Princetonian who took them to see the beaches and neighborhoods of stars including Johnny Carson, Mel Gibson, Barbara Streisand, and Richard Gere. They also saw the beach where the final scene of “Planet of the Apes” was filmed with the Statue of Liberty.
Sunday at 1 p.m. was the pre-Oscar luncheon catered by Wolfgang Puck. Irene wore a burgundy gown with a gold jacket from Lord & Taylor. Stewart wore his tuxedo. They received their tickets to the event at the luncheon. “Everyone was very gracious, and we were treated like guests,” says Irene.
As far as security went, they had to go through metal detectors and wand scanners. The area streets were closed, and armed guards were all around. There was a helicopter hovering over the red carpet.
The Nemsers got to walk the red carpet. The carpet divides into two — one for the stars waiting to be interviewed and photographed — and the other for everyone else. The Nemsers were invited to the grandstand seating area where they could watch everyone arrive. Stewart’s hand was shaken by Ben Kingsley when he came over to the viewing stand.
Due to the time difference, the ceremony began after lunch. When commercials were aired, there was a break for the audience members also. This was their time to partake of the free drinks available on every floor, to purchase food, or to visit the restroom. Since most breaks were only for three to four minutes, there was not enough time for anyone to get back into seats and seat fillers (people who “sit in” for others) were used.
“The key to meeting stars is in the ladies room,” says Irene. “Everyone is putting on make-up.” There she met in the restroom best supporting actress winner Rene Zellwegger (with her Oscar), Laine Kazan, and Janet O’Toole. One of the writers from “Will and Grace” was having trouble with false eyelashes and Irene helped her out by lending her mascara after she ditched the lashes.
“Billy Crystal was wonderful,” says Irene. Both of them were happy with the Lord of the Ring movies. Stewart was rooting for Bill Murray but after seeing the film clip of “Mystic River,” understood why Sean Penn won the Oscar.
Sitting in the fifth row, Irene sat next to Sting, while Stewart sat next to one of the Lord of the Rings winners. They were seated near Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Sean Penn, Bill Murray, Sean Connery, Oprah Winfrey, and Alex Baldwin.
Nemser graduated from Long Island University and the National College of Chiropractors in Chicago. He first opened his practice on Livingston Avenue in North Brunswick and settled into an apartment in Hunters Glen, where he met his wife at the Hunters Glen Country Club through a mutual friend.
Irene was born in New York City and raised in Ramsey, New Jersey. Her family moved to Princeton when she told themshe wanted to attend Princeton Day School. She is a graduate of Princeton University, Class of 1977, with a major in English and a minor in religion.
Married in 1982, they bought a house in South Brunswick, where their first two children were born. They owned a house in Princeton Oaks for ten years and have lived in Windsor Ridge for close to nine years. In addition to the office he has in the housewith an office in his home at 27 River Court in Windsor Ridge, Stewart maintains a North Brunswick office.
Their children are Ari, 19; Ben, 18; and Aliyah, 13. (Oscar attendees must be 21 and older.) Ari is a sophomore at the University of Delaware. Ben is a senior at High School North and the Mercer County High School of Performing Arts. Aliyah is an eighth grade student at Community Middle School.
The Nemsers’ Oscars trip included many highlights, including receiving tickets for the Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special on Monday, the morning after the Oscars. The only trick was that they had to be there at 5 a.m. “Just being there was something we never experienced,” says Irene. “We also learned that the stars are just people.”
— Lynn Miller
