Photo Flash: Carol Channing Leads 'HALF-CHRISTMAS' Fundraiser at the Magic Castle

"Hello Magic Castle! And a happy half season's greetings to you!" declared stage legend, Carol Channing, as she took her seat center stage, where she belongs, at the world famous Magic Castle. The Magic Castle was honored and proud to present the iconic Carol Channing for a public Q&A, to a sold out crowd, on Thursday, June 25th. The 4th annual "Half-Christmas: The Magic of Giving," fundraiser, a mid-year holiday cheer event, benefited "A Place Called Home" (www.apch.org). Event organizer, Dale Hindman, recalled "Carol was a delight to all, and the audience loved every moment. Her presence allowed us raise a record setting amount for this event."

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Held in the castles exclusive "Inner Circle" the pre-show cocktail hour offered cookies & milk (spiked egg nog!), as well as, Santa, his elves, and more, followed by world-class magicians and carolers. The evening's highlight was a Q&A with the one and only Carol Channing, hosted by Hollywood PR Pro, B. Harlan Boll, and special audience guests including Florence Henderson and Carolyn Hennesy.

In the hour-long Q&A, Miss Channing shared anecdotes about growing up and falling in love with theatre as a child in San Francisco, finding her place on the Great White Way in those early days in NY, working as an understudy for Eve Arden (who later stepped into the role of Dolly on Broadway), and life after the success of ten Broadway shows including "Gentleman Prefer Blondes" and, of course, Jerry Herman's "Hello Dolly!" The audience was treated to impersonations of colleagues and friends as well as Channing's famous silent screen star character of Cecilia Cisson. Channing offered an impromptu rendition of "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" and they in return sang "Hello Dolly!"

Magic Castle co-founder, Milt Larsen, commented that "At the young and beautiful age of 94, Miss Channing was simply brilliant. At the end of the evening, the entire audience rose for a well deserved standing ovation while singing "Hello Dolly" to her. There wasn't a dry eye in the house."

Photo Credit: Bill Dow