Local dance lovers including Cindy and Dick Troop were on their toes as the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) came to town for one very stylish event.
“Stars Under the Stars” launched the 75th anniversary season of the noted cultural organization, which has been home to greats such as Mikhail Baryshnikov. The Pritzker estate in Bev Hills was the place to be for this dance extravaganza that headlined excerpts from ballet favorites. “Seven Sonatas,” “Cinderella” and “Swan Lake” were all on the program, as well as the new composition “Toccare.”
Actress Jane Kaczmarek of “Malcolm in the Middle” fame dazzled in Piaget diamonds with her 16-year-old daughter Frances Whitford close behind.
After red carpet arrivals, guests were treated to a fab feast and private performance followed by a lavish dessert buffet including fruit tartlettes, chocolate tortes and even VIP caterer Lucques’ “famous s’mores.”
The event raised more than $250,000 for the ABT. Now that’s sweet!
THE JUDGMENT IS IN
More Iron Man, more Holmes, more Adventures … and the hits just keep on coming in the years ahead!
Congrats to Malibu’s Robert Downey Jr. RDJ was recently featured on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. Looking dapper in white tie and tux, Downey was bound to turn heads. The mag marveled at how the one time Malibu bad boy became the “highest paid actor in the world.” Say what? That’s not how it was when I started as a cub reporter at The Malibu Times. I covered Downey at the local courtroom way before “orange was the new black.” Today, in Downey’s case, black (and white tie) is the new orange.
My, how things have changed, or as the VF article put it, “How a Troubled Past Led to the Greatest Third Act in Hollywood History.” Might be a bit of a stretch, but no doubt about it, accolades are rolling in for this famous, and once infamous, local face.
Two Roberts — Downey and acclaimed actor Robert Duvall — are getting high praise for their latest movie, “The Judge.”
It was a slow road back for Downey, but it seemed to be worth the wait. He got his life back on track, became a transformed family man and hit the jackpot as the “Iron Man.”
In “The Judge,” the talented and versatile actor trades his superhero costume for courtroom suits. Downey and Duvall’s performances are said to be award worthy.
The film has been hailed as “one of the year’s best,” “a true classic” and “gripping and unforgettable.”
We will know more as the box office feedback rolls in. But if you’re a fan, rest assured, RDJ is giving it his all and is set to be around for years to come.
SPACE CASE!
Longtime local Matthew McConaughey is primed to blast off in the upcoming out-of-this-world space flick “Interstellar,” but before he does, he’ll have plenty of starry company here on earth.
This year, MM takes home the American Cinematheque’s most prestigious award. A galaxy of famous pals set the stage at the Beverly Hilton. MM has had one heck of a ride of late and expect the tributes to keep on coming. Stay tuned for details!