Patrons were treated to a classic trip down memory lane this week as four leading ladies of the legendary Persian Room New York came together for a book signing. Lainie Zazan, Michele Lee, Connie Stevens and Barbara Van Orden gathered at Barnes and Noble in California's The Grove to celebrate the release of Patty Farmer's new book "The Persian Room Presents." Anecdotes involving audience celebrity sightings included Barbara Streisand (by Stevens), Milton Berle (by Van Orden), Jack Jones and his thighs (by Lee) and a mob king who struck her while performing (by Kazan). See photos of the leading ladies at the event below!
The Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance, played host, on Sunday, April 22nd, to an evening of theatre, music and celebrity readings, that raised thousands in emergency funds to be sent to remaining Holocaust Survivors. An evening written by TV comedy director, Zane Buzby, and produced by Conan Berkley, Zane Buzby and Frances Fisher, used true stories of Holocaust Survivors, in the own words, that were read by such noted artists as Ed Asner, Frances Fisher, Elliott Gould, Valerie Harper, Lainie Kazan, Randal Keith, Arnold McCuller, Alan Rosenberg and Brenda Russell. Additional readings were given by Rabbi Moshe J. Kushman and Consul General of Israel, David Siegel. See photos from the event below!
The Southern California Motion Picture Council (SCMPC) will present their annual St. Valentines Ball with Oscar winning actress, Miss Margaret O'Brien, as the evening's hostess. The highlight of the gala will be the presentation of the 2012 Golden Halo Award to actress, singer and humanitarian, Ms. Barbara Van Orden.
The Southern California Motion Picture Council (SCMPC) will present their annual St. Valentines Ball with Oscar winning actress, Miss Margaret O'Brien, as the evening's hostess. The highlight of the gala will be the presentation of the 2012 Golden Halo Award to actress, singer and humanitarian, Ms. Barbara Van Orden.
The New York Film Academy (NYFA) has a long and impressive list of speakers who have shared their insight and knowledge with students who have chosen acting and/or filmmaking as a career. Previous guests have included Philip Seymour Hoffman, Glenn Close, Dennis Hopper, John Carpenter, Kevin Klein, Jon Voight, Kevin Spacey, Ben Stiller, Ron Howard, Juliette Lewis, Sir Ben Kingsley, Andy Garcia and Steven Spielberg.
Lily Tomlin, Joanne Worley, Carole Cook, Bruce Vilanch along with filmmaker and multi TONY-winning Director and Producer, Dori Berinstein all gathered on one stage to salute a star, an icon and a legend - Ms. Carol Channing. On Wednesday night, the Paley Center featured these incredible talents as well as gathering many more in the audience for the Los Angeles premiere screening of 'Carol Channing: Larger Than Life.' The panel members, who also appear in the critically acclaimed documentary, gathered with other friends, colleagues and fans of the woman who has been dubbed, and deservingly so, 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre.' Seen among those in attendance were a who's who of TONY, OSCAR, EMMY & GOLDEN GLOBE award winners including George Chakiris, Charles Fox, Davis Gaines, Ilene Graff, Tippi Hedren, Michael Learned, Kate Linder, Julie Newmar, Connie Stevens, Ruta Lee, Rose Marie, Richard Skipper, Barbara Van Orden, Dee Wallace and co-producer, B. Harlan Boll, to enjoy a film that also featured such noted industry greats as Loni Anderson, Marge Champion, Tyne Daly, Jerry Herman, Angela Lansbury, Bob Mackie, Margaret O'Brien, Debbie Reynolds, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune, Barbara Walters and many more.
It was an eclectic representation Hollywood talent that gathered on Thursday at the Egyptian theatre. From Broadway hits like "Grease" and "Peter Pan" to films such as "Westside Story" and "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" as well as cast members of many TV classics from "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "My Three Sons," "Bewitched," "Happy Days" and "The Waltons" to "Y&R" and "Hanna Montana" were present as Red Line Tours proudly unveiled their new series of collectible souvenir tickets designed by world-renowned artist, Andre Miripolsky. What do all these individuals share in common? Answer - A love for Hollywood History and its preservation.
After a an extended absence from the stage, due to the highly publicized accident that resulted in 18 surgeries, Ms. Barbara Van Orden brought her autobiographical cabaret act to Catalina's in Los Angeles this week. Ms. Van Orden began her singing career in the Catskill mountains at Grossinger's, where she opened for individuals such as Milton Berle, Don Rickles and Red Buttons. 'It was a great way to break into show biz,' says Barbara.
Since Julien's Auction house announced that they would be auctioning a piece of music history belonging famed singing sensation Michael Jackson, fans of the late legend have been following the preparations to sell the one and only 'Thriller' jacket.
'Who would have thought that a young boy from Weymouth would become part of such a large family of vagabonds,' remarked Hal Holbrook about the actors and industry professionals that gathered to honor him at the 15th annual TONY Award party in Los Angeles. 'Not all of us have been lucky enough to make a steady income from this profession we love so much. It's nice to know an organization such as the Actors Fund exists to watch our backs, while we concentrate on using our craft to make the world a richer place to live,' added Holbrook just after friend and colleague, Sean Penn, presented the accomplished thespian with the Julie Harris Award. Penn, who directed Holbrook in 'Into The Wild,' said 'Hal always got it in the first take, but you wanted him to do it again, just so you could watch him work.'
The Actors Fund is hosting another Musical Monday at The Pantages, celebrating the life and career of beloved composer and lyricist, Billy Barnes with a special evening of 'Billy Barnes and Friends.' Joining Billy will be Eileen Barnett, Carole Cook, Nancy Dussault, Jane A. Johnston, Karen Morrow, Barry Williams and JoAnne Worley with others to follow.
Movie legend and icon, Tippi Hedren, receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce at its 90th Annual Installation & Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 7th, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, in the same ballroom where the first Academy Awards were held.
The Actors Fund is hosting another Musical Monday at The Pantages, celebrating the life and career of beloved composer and lyricist, Billy Barnes with a special evening of 'Billy Barnes and Friends.' Joining Billy will be Eileen Barnett, Carole Cook, Nancy Dussault, Jane A. Johnston, Karen Morrow, Barry Williams and JoAnne Worley with others to follow.
From February 18 - 20th, Eve's Lime Productions and The Limelight Project brought Los Angeles audiences a very special production of Eve Ensler's THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre. Under the direction of Ally Zonsius and produced by Sheila J. Hardy, the production moved fluidly from monologue to monologue taking the audience with them through a very entertaining and moving experience.
Paul Williams took center stage in the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on Sunday, January 30th to praise the career of friend and colleague, Hal David. Singing snippets of Hal's hits like 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head,' 'I'll Never Fall In Love Again,' 'Close To You,' 'Walk On By' and many more, Williams declared 'If we tried to cover all of his work, we would have to continue this tribute tomorrow night.' An Honorary Committee that consisted of entertainment industry elite such as Charles Fox, Burt Bacharach, Michele Lee, Carl Reiner, and many more made the Music Center and Club 100's annual 'Magic Moments' gala THE place to be in Los Angeles on Sunday. Though many were on hand to praise Mr. David and his career, the patrons seemed to revolve around two primary tables. That of Mr. David himself, which included the evenings host, Paul Williams and Sally Kellerman (Who would later treat the audience to a selection of Mr David's songs from the stage) and table 10, hosted by noted cabaret singer Barbra Van Orden, which included Tippi Hedren, Florence Henderson, Robert David Hall, and Gary Austin. 'I had to be here tonight, if only to personally express my appreciation to Mr. David for his music and how much it has meant to me,' said Ms. Hedren. Ms. Henderson added, 'I thought I had a good idea about Hal's body of work when I arrived tonight, but as the evening progressed, I caught myself saying, 'He wrote that ... and that as well?' ... It's amazing to think how many great pieces of music he has given us.'
An elaborate presentation took place at Universal this week as the characters from Whoville honored Tippi Hedren for her work with animals at The Shambala Preserve (Shambala.org).
The Un-Common Theatre Company and The Orpheum at Foxboro are pleased to present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ', a fun and lively adaptation of the Broadway classic.
The Un-Common Theatre Company and The Orpheum at Foxboro are pleased to present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ', a fun and lively adaptation of the Broadway classic.
The Un-Common Theatre Company and The Orpheum at Foxboro are pleased to present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ', a fun and lively adaptation of the Broadway classic.
Maureen McGovern will perform at the 'Curtain Up' Gala at New Jersey's Lackland Performing Arts Center, The Centenary Stage Company has announced. The gala, to be held on September 24, will celebrate the opening of the center.
