Ed Asner and Mark Rydell Set for OXYMORONS Benefit at Malibu Playhouse Tonight

Malibu Playhouse presents a one-night benefit performance of "OXYMORONS" tonight, May 2 at 8 p.m. starring Ed Asner and Mark Rydell, written and directed by Brian Connors. Tickets are $75 and are available at malibuplayhouse.org.

On a NYC Central Park bench by the polar bear exhibit, two curmudgeonly brothers, played by Ed Asner and Mark Rydell, (real-life longtime friends and icons of TV and film) hash out their sibling rivalries "over money, women and Lincoln logs." Originally "Oxymorons" was performed as one of three one-act plays in "Plays in the Park." Asner, Rydell, and Connors will be available for a post-show Q&A.

"I am so looking forward to bringing Ed and Mark together again... they are a riot together and touch the audience in a very wonderful way. I consider myself blessed to have worked with them...They are both treasure chests of charm, wit, wisdom and talent," says Connors.

Ed Asner, winner of 7 Emmy Awards, 5 Golden Globes and multitude of other wins and nominations, is recognized for his 100 plus diverse TV and film credits. Asner is the only actor to win Emmy Awards for playing the same character (Lou Grant) in both a comedy, the iconic "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and a drama, his own show, "Lou Grant." Asner is also known as the voice of Carl Fredricksen in Pixar's award-winning animated film "Up," the voice of J. Jonah Jameson (editor of The Daily Bugle), in "Spider Man" and as Ben Parker (Peter Parker's uncle) in "The Spectacular Spider-Man."

Mark Rydell, Best-Director Academy Award nominee for "On Golden Pond," starring Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Katherine Hepburn and Dabney Coleman, has three EMMY nominations, Directors Guild of America, Cesar Awards, France for other works as well as winning two Heritage Awards for his directing various film and TV Westerns. Among Rydell's other known films: "The Reivers," "Cinderella Liberty," "The Rose," "The River" and "For the Boys." Before launching his directing career, Rydell first trained in music and acting. On-screen credits include roles on "The Edge of Night," "As the World Turns," "The Phil Silvers Show," Jewish mob kingpin Marty Augustine in "The Long Goodbye" and a role in Woody Allen's "Hollywood Ending" in 2002.

Connors is a member of the Actors Studio Playwright/Directors Unit led by Mark Rydell and Martin Landau. As a writer-director, his "Good Men" film received outstanding praise including Official Selection Miami Short Film Festival, Grand Prize New Media Film Festival Los Angeles 2012, Official Selection Charleston International Film Festival 2013, Official Selection Provincetown International Film Festival 2012, and Good Men Best Ensemble Cast Artisan Festival International World Cinema Festival Hamptons 2013. Connors worked off-off-Broadway, in major regional theaters, television, commercials and has been featured on "Law & Order," "Law & Order SVU," "The Riches," "The Handler" and "Close To Home." He also appeared opposite Kevin Costner Disney's film "McFarland." Connors's first plays were staged in NYC's Ensemble Studio Theater and along West 42 Street. His play "Cross Your Heart" was produced at the Hamlet Of Bank Street Theater in the West Village.

DETAILS:

Performance date: Saturday, May 2 - One night/one performance

This play contains strong language

Showtime: 8 p.m.

Q&A: Asner, Rydell and Connors on stage after the show

Running time: Approximately 40-minutes

Tickets: $75

Purchase: malibuplayhouse.org or email info@malibuplayhouse.org

Where: MALIBU PLAYHOUSE - 29243 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

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