It was another fun-filled night at Sardi’s as local faces and their friends filled the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the annual “Night at Sardi’s.” The guest list was impressive indeed, including Kristen Bell, Taye Diggs, Patrick Dempsey, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Nick Jonas, Idina Menzel, Ali Fedotowsky, Josh Gad, David Hyde Pierce, Seth Rogen, Grace Potter, Jason Alexander, John Stamos, Steven Weber and the cast of “The Big Bang Theory.”
The 24th annual Alzheimer’s Association “A Night at Sardi’s” posthumously honored television executive, producer and philanthropist Peter Grad with the annual Abe Burrows Entertainment Award. Actor Keith Carradine was given the Caregiver of the Year Award.
Keith wowed the crowd with the acoustic “Look Around” from the “Will Rogers Follies.” But that was just the warm up.
TV comedy legend Jason Alexander performed “You’ll Be Back” from the hit musical “Hamilton.” Jim Parsons, Melissa Rauch, Kunal Nayyar and Kaley Cuoco from the “The Big Bang Theory” delighted the crowd with numbers from “Grease” and dressed for the part to boot. Longtime supporter Eric donned a ’70s afro for his rendition of “I Got Life” from the musical “Hair.” Jason Alexander and Hyde Pierce were among the many to speak on behalf of the host organization.
Laurie Burrows Grad and her late husband, Peter Grad, co-chaired “A Night at Sardi’s” for 23 years in honor of Laurie’s father, Pulitzer-winning playwright and director Abe Burrows. As a result of their leadership and passion, “A Night at Sardi’s” has contributed more than $25 million to critical Alzheimer’s Association programs.
Proceeds raised from this glittering gala raised even more to go toward the treatment and research into Alzheimer’s disease.
HITTING A HIGH NOTE WITH RITA
Malibu’s Rita Wilson has now turned her attention to music and song. Rita, actor, producer and wife to Tom Hanks, has just released a CD, which was a cathartic way to express herself following her recent medical trauma.
While undergoing treatment for breast cancer, she turned her pain into passion through music. The result is a collection of deeply personal songs. The 59-year-old actress is nothing if not resilient. She was starring in a Broadway play when she received the diagnosis. Come curtain call, she gave it her all. Her collection of songs includes “Forgiving Me, Forgiving You” and “Crying, Crying.” You will find them on her second album, simply titled “Rita Wilson.”
As with many brave survivors like “Today’s” Hoa Kobt and Cheryl Crowe, she found her release in music. She says music was her outlet, “It was revelatory.”
Of course, there are more than a few nods to her inspirational husband Tom, with whom she is about to celebrate 28 years of wedlock.
She looks forward to performing her new music live and will be on tour this spring. So, thank you, Rita, for your music and your courage!