BEST OF THE BARD
Malibu theater lovers gathered at Sony Studios for this year’s Crystal Quill Awards. Locals like Rhea Perlman were on hand as actor Michael York presented longtime resident Bert Fields with his special honor. Fields was lauded for his contributions to the Shakespeare authorship debate.
The high-powered Hollywood attorney has had a host of Malibu clients over the years including James Cameron, Dustin Hoffman, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen as well as Tom Cruise, Warren Beatty and Madonna.
A starry crowd took part in the festivities with Warren Beatty and Frances Fischer among the evening’s famous faces.
A special Crystal Quill Award also went to Martha Andresen, Professor Emerita of English at Pomona College, for her dedication to all things Bard.
Director Roland Emmerich was another big name on the honor role. Emmerich was the man behind the recently released film “Anonymous.” The costume drama explores some of the lingering questions about the “who really wrote the great plays” controversy. It’s an issue that has intrigued academics and legendary scribes for centuries including Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Henry James and Sigmund Freud. Some experts have devoted their lives to protecting or debunking theories surrounding the authorship of the most renowned works in English literature.
“Anonymous,” which is set in Elizabethan England, poses some possible answers. Guests had an opportunity to view the film and decide for themselves before being treated to a dessert reception courtesy of celeb chef Wolfgang Puck.
The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles is a professional theater and arts education organization, which promotes the appreciation and production of Shakespeare works.
The Shakespeare Center brings several masterworks to life this year including “Comedy of Errors” on stage at the Broad theater through Nov 27. Play on!
GETTING CLOSE
The Quill Awards aren’t the only A-list program on the calendar. The trophy season is about to get into full swing leading up to the Oscars as the main event.
Early honors will be handed out in the desert as the Palm Springs Film Festival gets underway in early January.
The prize for this year’s Career Achievement Award goes to film vet and five-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close. Close made breakout performances in “The World According to Garp” and “The Big Chill.” The “Damages” star has had many memorable roles, but who can ever forget her creepy portrayal as Michael Douglas’ obsessed lover in “Fatal Attraction”?
The red carpet extravaganzas are right around the corner, so break out your DVR and get ready for some fun.