Then she and her husband took a disastrous trip to Washington, getting lost in a downpour and getting to the theater late. Morty told her for their next foray, she should pack champagne and a dinner to enjoy en route. A good idea, Lenny thought.
And that's how Diversions got its start. In 1978, Lenny, Ms. Sibel and a third partner each chipped in $1,000 and went into business. But as Diversions expanded, Lenny was the only one of the three partners who wanted to stick with it.
"Lenny was born with tremendous talent, energy and drive," says Morty, an investment Realtor who revels in his wife's spunk, despite the fact that his home now resembles a warehouse.
The Shapiros have been married 40 years this month. When Lenny needs a cash infusion -- say a $450,000 advance for Miss Saigon tickets -- he is there for her.
Though the business grosses $1.5 million a year, it doesn't really make much of a profit, Morty Shapiro says. Diversions is more a labor of love than a big profit, he maintains.
After the matinees let out, Diversions passengers return to their buses and exchange notes. There was a John John sighting at Trionfo: "I almost went into labor right there," a younger, pregnant passenger says of the sight of JFK Jr.
"He was drinking a vodka and he ate a salad," someone else notes.
There are new shoes and parcels from gourmet stores. The Edward Hopper show at the Whitney was wonderful. So were the shows: "Showboat," "The Heiress" and of course, "LVC."
Across the street from the buses, Lenny stands at the Walter Kerr Theatre stage door waiting for Mr. Glover.
When Mr. Glover exits the theater, she snatches him up and escorts him to Bus No. 2. "How many loved that show, ladies?" Lenny asks. Hands shoot up and she hushes gushing passengers.
Mr. Glover fields a few questions, and plugs the scholarship in his name at Towson State. He is courtly and game. And soon, he's off to the other bus.
As Diversions rolls out of Manhattan, Lenny and her guides push dip, veggies, crackers, biscotti, pickled olives and distribute dinner sacks from Zabars. Dessert -- cookies, low-fat linzers and chocolate -- follows.
If you liked this . . .
And then, the moment Mrs. Dopkin has been waiting for: Lenny takes the bus microphone and begins to hawk future trips.
"Now, here is something we think is so exciting, we can't stand it," Lenny says. "And it is totally tax-deductible!" She has arranged for VIP access to the Fashion Institute & Designer Benefit House Tour, a breast cancer benefit that will take Diversions customers into the homes of Nicole Miller, Mary McFadden, Joan Vass and other designers.
"Don't miss it!" Lenny commands. "We have all the fun."
Also in the works: Patti LuPone in concert, "Master Class" at the Kennedy Center and "Victor/Victoria" with Julie Andrews. "The woman looks good," Lenny says. "She must have had everything done."
The Radio City trips in December are sold out, but there is still time to sign up for the New York trip that will visit the Coach knock-off place downtown. "Where is it?" someone asks Lenny.
E9 Lenny won't say: "I can't tell you until I take you."
