AN EYE FOR LEADING LADIES.(Aubrey Reuben is a freelance photographer who takes pictures of theater and film stars)

For close to three decades, Aubrey Reuben, a seventy-year-old high-school Spanish teacher turned freelance photographer, has brought his mercurial presence and automatic-focus camera to just about every opening-night party, testimonial dinner, and benefit gala in town. Reuben, who is a widower, almost never spends the evening at home. "I tried it once twenty-five years ago," he said. "And there was no Elizabeth Taylor, no Raquel Welch, no Jane Fonda--what was the point?" Reuben has a gentle-looking face, dominated by a long nose and a pair of large eyeglasses. He always wears a suit and tie. His slight frame carries the extra padding of thousands of catered dinners, but he is quick.

Two years ago, Tony Award Productions named Reuben to the nominating committee for its annual prizes, which were presented the other night at Radio City Music Hall. Based on a recent sighting at a lunch for this year's nominees at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, it can be reported that Reuben's newfound clout hasn't made him reticent or aloof. "I love what I do," he said. "You get to mingle, hug and kiss, enjoy delicious food, and shoot pictures of the stars."

After taking a snapshot of John Lithgow, who plays the gossip columnist J. J. Hunsecker in the musical version of "Sweet Smell of Success," Reuben darted over, thrust an eight-by-ten glossy at him, and said, "That's how you were years ago--I think it's from an opening-night party at Mr. Chow." Reuben believes that "everybody likes to get a photo." John Guare ("Sweet Smell of Success") got one of himself at an opening-night party at the West Bank Cafe. Mercedes Ruehl ("The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?") got one of herself backstage with Edward Albee. Elaine Stritch ("Elaine Stritch at Liberty") would have got one of herself at a recent Juvenile Diabetes Foundation dinner at the St. Regis Hotel, if only she had showed up at the lunch.

Reuben considers himself an expert at picking Tony winners, but he said that some of this year's ...