L.A. THEATRE WORKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA PREVIEW

Let me not bury the lede, (yes, that is the correct spelling for this saying)—SoCal peeps still have time to join us at this sure-to-be-lovely event this coming Sunday evening, June 2nd, at the BroadStage in Santa Monica. What better way to kick-off the beginning-of-summer month than with a worthwhile and star-studded Gala that will benefit the arts? You don’t even need a suit or fancy dress! The invitation advises “festive attire.” (And the parking is free!) [All the info is at the bottom of this article.]

One of L.A. Theatre Works, well, works.

In case you’re not aware of L.A. Theatre Works, let me enlighten you. As stated on their website, their “mission is to record and preserve great performances of important stage plays, using new technology to make world-class theatre accessible to the widest possible audience, and to expand the use of theatre as a teaching tool.” As a former teacher and actress, and current critic, I really applaud this endeavor. What they do is really unique and fascinating, so I suggest you check-out their site at the bottom of this column.

Jobeth Williams. Photo by Annie Appel.

The festivities this Sunday will include a reception and formal dinner followed by a program that features some famous L.A. Theatre Works veterans, including a trio with whom I’ve worked in some form or other. Ed Begley, Jr., was one of my first guests on a bit of a strange shopping show I got roped into was happy to host a while back. And Castle‘s Susan Sullivan and I were guests on the same talk show when I was doing my TV show. But my fave experience with one of them was with JoBeth Williams, of The Big Chill fame. She and I were on the Championship team at a Charades party a few years ago. I’m forever indebted to her for figuring-out all my crazy clues because…I love winning! That was such a fun time.

As this Sunday’s Gala will be! Part of that is because the fabulous and prolific television producer, Marcy Carsey, is one of the honorees. She and her partner Tom Werner produced many TV series including The Cosby Show, A Different World, Roseanne, Grace Under Fire, and 3rd Rock from the Sun back in the day, and were the most sought-after producing team in the biz! (My words, not theirs.) As a matter of fact, they just got back together to work on That ’90s Show, a spin-off of their earlier That’70s Show.

Marcy Carey. Photo by John Salangsang.

I had met Marcy and her darling late husband, Johnny Carsey, when I was just starting-out in the biz, so I was fortunate enough to have a chat with her on the phone the other day about those early times, and also about her admiration of LA Theatre Works. A more easy-going and down-to-earth woman I cannot imagine. In-between all the giggles we had about show business, getting together with our men, our love of our East Coast hometowns, (New England for her, Brooklyn for me,) how funny Mr. X is, (they had worked together once at the beginning of their careers,) and what we’re going to wear to the Gala, we discussed how worthwhile L.A. Theatre Works is.

Marcy Carsey, (I love writing, and saying, that name!,) told me, “I’m involved with them because they do excellent work, and they do it on a shoestring. And the impact on the world at large–from schoolchildren to people who don’t even speak English to whomever–the impact everywhere is so much greater than what you would expect from such a wonderful but small organization.” As someone who has been involved with the arts for so many decades, I totally respect what she has to say on the topic.

Susan A. Loewenberg. Photo by Joshua Arviso.

The other honoree is Susan A. Loewenberg, the founder and Producing Director of L.A. Theatre Works. (Whom better for this organization to honor, right?) As a former teacher, I appreciate all the education she’s been involved in. And just as a person, I’m impressed with how much she’s accomplished. And trust me, it’s a lot!

So I hope that many of you will join me this week-end in celebrating these worthy honorees and L.A. Theatre Works at this fun event. (And hint—you will finally see Mr. X, who is accompanying me willingly!)

Gala info:
June 2, 2024 at 5:30PM
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Complimentary Self-Parking
For inquiries and tickets: www.latw.org/50 or 310-420-8322.

For more information on L.A. Theatre Works, in general, just click right here: www.latw.org.