Pudding Honors Woman of Year Pfeiffer

It was bizarre, even for Harvard Square.

Men in tights and pearls, a parade in a red Saab convertible and the presentation of a golden "Pudding Pot" were among the highlights of yesterday's ceremonies honoring actress Michelle Pfeiffer as the 44th annual Hasty Pudding Theatrical's Woman of the Year.

Hundreds of Harvard students and Cambridge residents turned out for the afternoon parade, which proceeded from the Inn at Harvard to Dunster St. and then up to the Pudding's theater.

Rugby players turned security guards strutted in their wingtips. Juggling cows and junior-high gymnasts showed off. And everywhere were journalists, blowing the frost from their fingers as they craned to see Pfieffer.

The actress, wedged between Hasty Pudding Theatricals President John S. Berman '95 and Vice-President Aaron R. Zelman '96, waved from the back of the Saab at people lining the streets of Harvard Square. She even found a moment to smile for the telephoto lenses bristling from the press truck proceeding slowly in front of her.

"I saw her, I saw her," one woman screamed to her friend in a heavy Brooklyn accent.

Pfieffer blew kisses to the Porcellian members cheering from the club's windows and waved at the numerous arms thrust out of Mass. Ave. office windows.

It was difficult for the crowd to see Pfieffer, who was surrounded by lanky Pudding actors and photographers.

When the 30-minute parade ended, Pfieffer was led into the Hasty Pudding Theater to be roasted by Berman and Zelman and to receive the traditional Pudding Pot.

Berman and Zelman, transformed in their tuxedos, roasted Pfieffer in true Pudding style.

They teased Pfeiffer about her less successful efforts, reminding her of flops such as "Wolf," "Scarface" and "Callie and Son," and recalling her first speaking part--as an extra on "Fantasy Island."

Pfieffer also participated in a mock audition for her role in Grease II as the leader of the Pink Ladies, which elicited hearty laughs from the audience.

The highlight of the roast occurred when Bermanasked Pfieffer to use the whipping skills she hadperfected in "Batman" to punish Zelman.

As Zelman assumed the position, Bermaninterrupted Pfieffer: "I've been naughty, too," hesaid, and joined Zelman.

After receiving her Pudding Pot, Pfiefferreturned to her seat, accidentally dropping herpot on the way. She watched a three scene previewof the Hasty Pudding show, "A Tsar is Born," andthen attended a press conference upstairs.

"God, I wish I could come here, I missed out onthat part of my life, on the whole collegeexperience," said Pfieffer, who was for the mostpart reserved at the press conference.

"My husband used to live in this area and hereminisced as the parade went by. He remembered itfrom years ago."

She also said that Harvard men, at least thefew she'd met, were "as smart as she'd heard."

Pfieffer advised budding actors to learnbalance and self-discipline. "Just don't getdiscouraged....it's a long road," she said.

At the end of the conference, Pfiefferresponded to a question about theartist-as-citizen. "Actors definitely have someresponsibility in choosing roles and films," shesaid. "But it's important to remember that somefilms are purely for entertainment value."

Pfieffer has starred in movies varying from"Dangerous Liaisons" to "Married to the Mob," andrecently made her theater debut in "TwelfthNight.

The highlight of the roast occurred when Bermanasked Pfieffer to use the whipping skills she hadperfected in "Batman" to punish Zelman.

As Zelman assumed the position, Bermaninterrupted Pfieffer: "I've been naughty, too," hesaid, and joined Zelman.

After receiving her Pudding Pot, Pfiefferreturned to her seat, accidentally dropping herpot on the way. She watched a three scene previewof the Hasty Pudding show, "A Tsar is Born," andthen attended a press conference upstairs.

"God, I wish I could come here, I missed out onthat part of my life, on the whole collegeexperience," said Pfieffer, who was for the mostpart reserved at the press conference.

"My husband used to live in this area and hereminisced as the parade went by. He remembered itfrom years ago."

She also said that Harvard men, at least thefew she'd met, were "as smart as she'd heard."

Pfieffer advised budding actors to learnbalance and self-discipline. "Just don't getdiscouraged....it's a long road," she said.

At the end of the conference, Pfiefferresponded to a question about theartist-as-citizen. "Actors definitely have someresponsibility in choosing roles and films," shesaid. "But it's important to remember that somefilms are purely for entertainment value."

Pfieffer has starred in movies varying from"Dangerous Liaisons" to "Married to the Mob," andrecently made her theater debut in "TwelfthNight.