Laraine Newman News

Emmy nominated and Drama Desk award winning writer Eugene Pack, who is also the creator of the hit show 'Celebrity Autobiography' which made its Broadway debut last year, is generating tons of fun and laughter on Tuesday nights at theaters around Los Angeles with THE PACK, his monthly reading series of his own original short comedies which he also directs. The series has been building a huge following and is attracting outstanding talent in LA along with Special Celebrity Guests.

The Pack will be presented at Gary Austin Stage at The Groundlings with star-studded cast.

Producer Steve Tyler and Los Angeles LGBT Center Artistic Director Jon Imparato announced today that two all-star benefit readings of Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls (screenplay by Dorothy Kingsley) on May 3 and 4 raised $32,000 to be split between Alcott Center for Mental Health Services and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Directed by Richard Hochberg, Susann's infamous tale of cutthroat careerism, wild sex, and fierce female protagonists was on hilarious display.

Barry Bostwick (Tony Award winner; Brad in The Rocky Horror Picture Show); Laraine Newman (original cast of Saturday Night Live); Dana Gould (The Simpsons); Maggie Wheeler (Friends); Marcia Rodd (Tony nominee); and Lynne Stewart (Pee Wee's Playhouse) are among the cast of the April 16 edition of The Pack at the Pico.

Steve Tyler Presents has announced an all-star benefit reading of Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls, directed by Richard Hochberg, for two performances only at the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Renberg Theatre. Susann's infamous tale of cutthroat careerism, wild sex, and fierce female protagonists will be on hilarious display with performances on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at 8pm. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Alcott Center for Mental Health Services and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Barry Bostwick (Tony Award winner; Brad in The Rocky Horror Picture Show); Laraine Newman (original cast of Saturday Night Live); Dana Gould (The Simpsons); Maggie Wheeler (Friends); Marcia Rodd (Tony nominee); and Lynne Stewart (Pee Wee's Playhouse) are among the cast of the April 16 edition of The Pack at the Pico.

The Pico will be presenting a monthly reading series of original short comedies by Emmy® nominated and Drama Desk Award winning writer Eugene Pack.

The National Comedy Center, the nation's first museum and visitor experience dedicated to the comedic arts, announced today that Sebastian Maniscalco and John Mulaney will headline the 2019 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, August 7th -11th. Tickets for their performances will go on pre-sale for National Comedy Center members only -- starting Wednesday, February 20th at Noon ET at www.ComedyCenter.org.  

Announcing today the first round of Official Selections in Shorts and Episodics category for the upcoming 2nd Annual Mammoth Film Festival. Last year's inaugural festival drew headlines for being 'the biggest first year film festival ever organized' and this year's lineup and events aim to repeat and expand the momentum. The festival is expanding to 5 days and taking place February 7-11, 2019 in the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. The festival's slate of World Premieres include feature films, short films, indie episodics, VR,  and a wide variety of documentaries. Additional projects will be announced in the coming weeks, and MammothFF is excited to align itself with other great film festivals like HollyShorts and SeriesFest in year two of the festival.

Today giving you a peek back into our archives with these flashback photos of Jeff Daniels, Richard Thomas, and Swoosie Kurtz in 1981's FIFTH OF JULY.

SF Sketchfest presented by Audible announces even more additions to the lineup for the 18th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival January 10-27.  The 17-day festival features over 200 shows with  major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming comedians from around the world performing in venues across the city bringing non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, storytelling, family shows, workshops, panels and more. Tickets for all shows now on sale at sfsketchfest.com.

SF Sketchfest presented by Audible announces additions to the lineup for the 18th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival January 10-27, 2019.  The 17-day festival of more than 200 shows features major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming comedians from around the world performing in venues across the city bringing non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, storytelling, family shows, workshops, panels and more. Tickets for all previously announced shows now on sale at sfsketchfest.com. Round Two shows go on sale this Friday at 10am PT / 1pm ET at sfsketchfest.com.

SF Sketchfest presented by Audible announces the initial line up for the 18th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival January 10-27, 2019, featuring top comedic talent performing in venues across the city. Audiences can expect another outstanding year of programming and fun as SF Sketchfest will host major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts from around the world for non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, storytelling, family shows, workshops, panels and more.

SF Sketchfest presented by Audible announces the initial line up for the 18th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival January 10-27, 2019, featuring top comedic talent performing in venues across the city. Audiences can expect another outstanding year of programming and fun as SF Sketchfest will host major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts from around the world for non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, storytelling, family shows, workshops, panels and more.

IFC announced today the launch of a new original digital comedy series, Fortune Rookie, on the Comedy Crib (ifc.com/comedy-crib), the network's online hub for original, short-form comedy. Created by and starring Janet Varney (Stan Against Evil, You're the Worst), Fortune Rookie follows a fictionalized version of Janet Varney who, on the advice of a fortune teller in a bathroom, decides to leave showbiz behind and become a full-time psychic. The eight-episode series joins the Comedy Crib's current array of acclaimed web series including Frank & Lamar, The Mirror and Neurotica.

In her own words, comedienne Gilda Radner reflects on her life and career. Weaving together her recently discovered audiotapes, interviews with friends (Chevy Chase, Lorne Michaels, Laraine Newman, Paul Shaffer and Martin Short), rare home movies and diaries read by modern-day comedians inspired by Gilda (Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Cecily Strong), LOVE, GILDA opens up a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of a beloved performer whose greatest role was sharing her story.

Created by Eugene Pack and developed by Pack & Dayle Reyfel, audiences at Celebrity Autobiography are treated to an entertaining evening of non-stop laughter as an eclectic mix of talented & hilarious performers act out classic excerpts from a range of celebrity tell-alls

The Wallis presents Celebrity Autobiography, Today, July 21, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Created by Eugene Pack and developed by Pack & Dayle Reyfel, audiences at Celebrity Autobiography are treated to an entertaining evening of non-stop laughter as an eclectic mix of talented & hilarious performers act out classic excerpts from a range of celebrity tell-alls

The Wallis presents Celebrity Autobiography, Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.