TINSELTOWN SPYWITNESS.

Byline: Joel Stratte-McClure

DEAD YESTERDAY, GAY TODAY: ``Desperate Housewives'' star Marcia Cross was one of 4,000 people at the premiere of ``The Producers'' at the new 15-theater multiplex at Westfield Century City on Monday night.

But she wanted to be the first to congratulate Roger Bart - aka George Williams, the recently deceased pharmacist on ``Housewives'' - for his show-stealing role as Carmen Ghia. He was definitely her favorite male among a cast that included Will Ferrell, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Jon Lovitz and Gary Beach.

``I knew Roger would have a quick rebirth after I let him die on the show a few weeks ago,'' Cross said at the elegant after-party for the intimate crowd. ``He's a fantastic gay guy in the film, and I know that he's got lots of other crazy roles in him.''

Tony Award winner Bart, who has played both Carmen Ghia and Leo Bloom in the Broadway version of ``The Producers,'' was definitely glad to be resurrected so quickly.

``The timing of my demise on TV and my rebirth on film is wonderfully coincidental,'' said Bart, noting that his part on ``Housewives'' ``was of such a massive scale that George will be my Gilligan for years. People who see me acting in both roles will at least be assured that I've got a future playing intriguing gay stalkers.''

And how did Ferrell, who gained a Golden Globe nomination on Tuesday for his performance in the film, and Uma Thurman, who completely missed the event that raised more than $600,000 for UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, prepare for the film without experience in the show on Broadway?

``Will and Uma had an intense seven-week rehearsal that included a vocal coach, dance training and choreography lessons,'' said director Susan Stroman. ``By the time we started filming, they were both incredible musical comedy performers.''

``The Producers'' also nabbed a Golden Globe nomination for best musical/comedy motion picture. Lane received a best actor nomination in the same category and the song ``There's Nothing Like a Show on Broadway'' gained an original song nod.

NOT EVEN A THANK-YOU?: Did reed-thin Nicole Richie lose her voice when she broke off her engagement with DJ AM earlier this month? She certainly wasn't speaking up at a party at the Judith Ripka Boutique on Via Rodeo Tuesday night to celebrate ``The Truth About Diamonds,'' her semi-factual novel about life in the Hollywood fast lane.

But there was apparently a subliminal message tied to her silent appearance.

``She's coming tonight to show everyone that she survived the breakup and is getting on with her life,'' said Jessica Stark, a PR executive with the Judith Ripka Cos. ``She wants to be with some close friends, have some wine and enjoy the atmosphere.''

It didn't quite turn out that way.

Invited ``close friends'' - including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Kirsten Dunst and Mischa Barton - didn't show. And ``The Simple Life'' star, who arrived late and stayed less than 10 minutes, even looked like it was an imposition to pose for pictures with the Ripka ring she wears on the book cover photo. Naturally, people invited ``to meet the author'' didn't. And Richie wouldn't talk to the press about her book, her breakup, free bling, the controversy regarding the diamond business or, even, Paris Hilton. Fortunately, she didn't completely waste her time. Before she fled in a Maybach Mercedes-Benz on loan for the night, she accepted a $5,500 diamond bracelet from Brian Ripka, Judith's son. Why the pre-Christmas present?

``We love the book, which has gotten us an unbelievable number of calls from potential clients, and we love supporting her,'' Ripka said. ``We're also renaming the ring on the book's cover. It's now called the Nicole and retails for $9,000.'' Pay a bit more and it'll talk.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1) CROSS: She lamented the late pharmacist ...

(2) BART: ... who has been reborn as Carmen Ghia.

Mark Mainz/Getty Images

(3) RICHIE: Fled with the bling.

Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com