Markey helps add accent to 'Curtains'

Congressman Ed Markey as a dialect coach? Turns out Tony-nominated actor David Hyde Pierce owes the authenticity of his accent in the Broadway musical "Curtains" to the Bay State politician. "I learned it from [Markey], and it just stuck," Pierce told Martha Stewart recently. The former "Frasier" star plays a detective in the musical, which is about a murder at Boston's Colonial Theatre. Markey and Pierce met several years ago, under somewhat difficult circumstances. "My mother passed in July 1998 from Alzheimer's . . . and David's father passed from Alzheimer's around the same time," said Markey, who hasn't seen the Broadway show yet. "He's always been so helpful to me on these issues. I'm glad I could pay him back."

The "RFK" after-party at Rustic Kitchen attracted a few boldfaced names, including former Atlantic Monthly editor Robert Manning, power pair Bud and Frances Moseley, WCVB-TV's Karen Holmes Ward, state Representative Gene O'Flaherty, Paul Tsongas's sister Thaleia Tsongas-Schlesinger, Nick Paleologos, and the show's writer and star Jack Holmes, who bears a striking resemblance to Robert F. Kennedy.

Fond of Newport

Upon arriving in Newport to shoot "Evening," Hungarian director Lajos Koltai (right) was struck by the look of the place. "When I got there, it was like looking at an Edward Hopper painting," said Koltai, who was in town yesterday to promote the movie he's made based on Susan Minot's book. So wowed was the filmmaker by Newport and nearby Tiverton that the setting nearly steals the show in the painterly pic. The movie, whose all-star cast includes Claire Danes, Hugh Dancy, Mamie Gummer and mom Meryl Streep, and Natasha Richardson and her mom, Vanessa Redgrave, will screen tonight at the Newport International Film Festival. "It was like a dream," said Koltai, who filmed in Rhode Island last fall. "The story was great, the cast was right, the place . . . It all came together."

Taking off on the runway

While her boyfriend was back at practice this week, Gisele Bundchen was walking the runway in Rio. Tom Brady's Brazilian best friend was modeling the creations of Colcci during the Fashion Rio Show. As you can see, Bundchen was not modeling Colcci's winter fashion.

"Dickie Roberts" director Sam Weisman and his wife, Constance McCashin, threw a party at their Newton manse this week for Diana Meehan, author of the new book "Learning Like a Girl." Meehan, founder of the innovative, all-girl Archer School in LA, is the wife of "Family Ties" creator Gary David Goldberg. (Weisman directed 70 episodes of the sitcom starring Michael J. Fox.) Guests included Goldberg, Brandeis president Jehuda Reinharz and his wife, Shulamit Reinharz, Mass . Film Office boss Nick Paleologos, "The World" host Tony Kahn, Kiss 108's Matt Siegel, John MacNeil of Moody Street Pictures, and Cam Neely's lovely wife, Paulina.

"Actor John Malkovich joined Boston's Italian consul general Liborio Stellino and about 100 guests this week to celebrate Italian National Day. Hair guru Leon de Magistris, Italian businessman Antonio Musso, Museum of Fine Arts deputy director Katie Getchell, artist and MFA overseer Francesca Piper Koss, and City Councilor Sal LaMattina all were at the Italian Consulate. . . . Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn had a reservation -- for 27 -- at Anthony's Pier 4 last night.

Penny's with Eliza, not Alyssa

During Alyssa Milano's maiden visit to Fenway, the actress insisted she's through with ballplaying beaus. The "Who's the Boss? " femme has certainly had her share, including Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny, perennially injured Yankees hurler Carl Pavano, and Giants lefty Barry Zito. (Milano said she knows Josh Beckett well but never dated him.) Penny (above) apparently has a thing for petite actresses. Since splitting with Milano, he's been dating Eliza Dushku (above), who grew up in Watertown.

Affordable clothing from an affable star

Can sensibly priced clothing from a down-to-earth actress stand out in an increasingly crowded market for celebrity-branded fashion? Sarah Jessica Parker's bubbly personality was evident as she strode through the Manhattan Mall's Steve & Barry's store at the launch of her clothing line, Bitten, greeting shoppers with a cheerful, "Hi guys!" With Bitten, Parker joins Madonna, Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and other stars who are seeking success with celebrity clothing collections. Parker (above) and Steve & Barry's, known for its inexpensive college apparel, are hoping the Bitten line stands out because of its cheap prices. Nothing in Bitten's 500-piece collection is over $19.98. (AP)

Galvanized by the success of "Shrek the Third," Jeffrey Katzenberg says the tale of the green ogre who married a princess will continue. "More Shreks are coming!" producer Katzenberg, flanked by "Shrek" stars Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, and Justin Timberlake, said at a news conference in Berlin yesterday. Katzenberg said there will be a half-hour animated TV special, "Shrek the Halls," featuring the Shrek characters' versions of holiday traditions. As for the plot of the fourth installment of the "Shrek" movie franchise, Katzenberg would only reveal that Shrek will have to come to terms with something difficult in his past. (AP)

Michael sentenced

A British judge sentenced George Michael yesterday to 100 hours of community service and banned him from driving for two years for driving under the influence of drugs. Michael, whose real name is George Panayiotou, pleaded guilty May 8 to a charge of driving while unfit through drugs. Police said the 43-year-old pop star was found slumped at the wheel of his car in north London after witnesses observed the vehicle weaving onto the wrong side of the road in October. Michael said he was ashamed that "I had done something really wrong in putting other people at risk." (AP)