ALL IN THE FAMILY's Norman Lear Speaks at The Wallis Tonight

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ("The Wallis") and Writers Bloc, Los Angeles' acclaimed reading and conversation series founded by Emmy-nominated Andrea Grossman, are partnering to present Norman Lear in Conversation with Phil Rosenthal tonight, March 12 at 8:00pm. The event, held in the Bram Goldsmith Theater, is part of The Wallis' ongoing new series "Arts & Ideas: Conversations at The Wallis."

A legend in the industry, Norman Lear changed television forever when he created "All in the Family," one of the most groundbreaking series in history. Through the lens of a sitcom, the series broke television taboos by brazenly examining the political, social and cultural issues of its time, including racism, homosexuality, women's rights, abortion and breast cancer. During a nine-year run in the 1970s, "All in the Family" earned four Emmy Awards for Best Comedy Series, and a Peabody Award in 1977.

"All in the Family" was not Lear's only hit - or only subversive television experiment. He also created "Maude," "Sanford and Son," "Good Times," "The Jeffersons" and "One Day at a Time," all of which continued to use comedic television series to explore current - and often controversial - national issues.

Lear's social activism and commitment to social justice is legendary. As the founder of People for the American Way, Lear lobbied against the influence of religion in American politics. In 2001, he and his wife purchased one of the only surviving original copies of the Declaration of Independence and toured it to all fifty states to bring it closer to the American people. Lear's activism is well known to the White House: President Nixon added him to his "Enemies List" and President Clinton conferred upon him the National Medal of Arts. Lear is the author of a new memoir, Even This I Get to Experience.

Phil Rosenthal is the creator, writer and executive producer of the long-running sitcom, "Everybody Loves Raymond," starring Ray Romano. He also wrote and directed the documentary "Exporting Raymond," about his attempts to break into the Russian television market with his hit series despite a lack of knowledge of Russian culture and language. Phil also directed President Clinton in the 2000 White House Correspondents Dinner video.

Tickets are $25 and $35, and are available at www.thewallis.org or by calling 310-746-4000 or in person at The Wallis Ticket Services located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

About Writers Bloc - Writers Bloc is a nonprofit literary series dedicated to bringing to Los Angeles our favorite writers and thinkers to discuss their ideas with other interesting personalities. Writers Bloc is now in its 19th season, and has hosted many of the most influential voices that have made a significant impact on our cultural and literary landscape. Writers Bloc seeks to expand the general public's access to and understanding of literature through community-based programs featuring writers, thinkers, public figures and others in conversation about fictional and nonfictional work, and to create and foster opportunities for dialogue and interaction between the general public and writers, thinkers, public figures or others about reading, writing, literature, the literary process, the role and relationship of literature to music, film and other media and the relevance and impact of literature on modern society.

About The Wallis - Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, California, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ("The Wallis") brings audiences world-class theater, dance and music, performed by many of the world's most talented and sought-after artists. With eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles, and its notability as the entertainment capital of the world, The Wallis offers original and revered works from across the US and around the globe. This fall marks The Wallis' second season, which also includes its prestigious "Arts & Ideas" series, conversations with guests from the realms of culture, literature and politics. Housed in a breathtaking 70,000-square-foot venue designed by Zoltan E. Pali, FAIA of Studio Pali Fekete architects, The Wallis celebrates the classic and the modern. This is reflected in the juxtaposition of the restored, original 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office (on the National Register of Historic Places) that serves as the theater's dramatic yet welcoming lobby, and houses the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater, as well as a theater school for young people, and the contemporary 500-seat, state-of-the-art Bram Goldsmith Theater. Together, these two structures embrace the city's history and its future, creating a performing arts destination for LA-area visitors and residents alike.

Headshot courtesy of the Wallis.

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