He is a legend of American comedy with classics like “The Dick Van Dyke Show” to his credit. That’s why it was no surprise the stars turned out to celebrate Carl Reiner and his 75 years in show business at the Mark Taper Forum. A special performance was held in Carl’s honor with a reading of “Enter Laughing, The Musical,” which is based on the writer, director, actor and producer’s first book.
The program was a family affair with his “This is Spinal Tap” and “Meathead” son Rob Reiner taking the stage, as well as Deborah S. Craig, Erick Devine, John Grisetti, Sharon Lawrence, Michele Lee, Alan Mandell, Gerry McIntyre, Gina Milo, Sara Niemietz, Kevin Odekirk, Stuart Pankin, Darcie Roberts, John Rubinstein and Robb Sapp.
The event began with a pre-show cocktail tribute hosted by the one and only Billy Crystal. After a rousing warm up, the laughs continued with the main event. Carl’s show borrows from his own experiences as a young man struggling to break into theater in New York.
The splashy, “one night only” production was directed by Stuart Ross of “Forever Plaid” fame.
It all wrapped up with an intimate cast party and helped raise $290,000 for the Center Theater Group.
Oscar extends
Got gold? If it was tough deciding between this year’s academy contenders like “Argo,” “Lincoln” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” you’ll have a little extra time to ponder your choices in the next round.
The academy is bumping its celebrated ceremony into March, so expect an even longer Oscar, Golden Globe, DGA and WGA season. Blame the delay on snow and one of the biggest days in sports.
Between the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl, it’s a onetwo programming punch. The two mega-events have nailed down every Sunday night in February and the academy had to give.
The show will go on, but not until March 2. If you can’t get enough of red carpet fashion, movie talk and spectacle, it’s another week of entertainment heaven.
Broadway bound
Malibu’s Tom Hanks is making the move to Broadway. Previews for his role in Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy” began this week. Set in New York in the 1980s, the production tells the tale of a tabloid columnist who investigates scandal and corruption in the city.
Joining Hanks in the cast are Maura Tierney, Peter Scolari, Christopher McDonald, Peter Gerety, Courtney B. Vance and Richard Masur, as well as Paula Jon De Rose, Brian Dykstra, Joe Forbrich, Michael Gaston, Dustyn Gulledge, Tom Hammond, Marc Damon Johnson, Deirdre Lovejoy, Danny Mastrogiorgio and Stephen Tyrone Williams.