CURTAIN CALL
If you’re a theater lover, this is your last chance to catch a couple of standout productions at the Geffen. “A Picasso” is a compelling two-person play starring locals Roma Downey and Peter Michael Goetz. Downey does a top-notch job playing sexy Nazi interrogator Miss Fisher. Goetz is powerful and convincing as the famed Spanish painter.
For a totally different experience, don’t miss David Mamet’s “Speed the Plow.” Mamet skewers Tinseltown in a behind-the-scenes look at what goes in to green lighting a movie. Jon Tenny takes on the part of Bobby Gould, a studio exec who must choose between going with a sure-fire prison-break blockbuster with a big name attached or an obscure mystical novel about the end of the world. Gregg German, who you’ll remember from those “Ally McBeal” days, and Mamet fave Alicia Silverstone round out the cast.
David Arquette brought his “In Case of Emergency” pals Jonathan Silverman, Lori Loughlin and Kelly Ku to check out the opening night performance. Camryn Manheim, Sharon Lawrence and Jacqueline Bisset joined the group for a splashy after-party at Ocean Avenue Seafood, where they chowed down on tasty bay scallop ceviche, wild king salmon in a pinot cherry sauce and homemade brownies. The evening was a big hit with Geffen regular Ginny Mancini, who said she “wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
“A Picasso” and “Speed the Plow” run through March 25.
A PINOT FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
It’s a fine time for wine because one of the city’s favorite events is right around the corner. The Fourth Annual Malibu Wine Classic takes place on March 31 at the Sunset Restaurant on Westward Beach.
“It’s going to be phenomenal,” says co-founder John Selman. “We started with 30 wineries, a few critics and some wine pairings at Beau Rivage. This year we’ve got 60 wineries and 25 restaurants. To have wineries like L’Aventure, Linne Caldo and Saxum return is really exciting.” This year’s wine classic will benefit Childhelp, a national nonprofit group dedicated to assisting victims of child abuse and neglect. Selman says locals have donated all kinds of cool stuff for the silent auction including must-have creations from Chrome Hearts and private vineyard tours. “It’s a great cause,” Selman says. “We’ve got a lot of people in Malibu who want to help kids. Because there are so many families here, they’ve really given with open arms.”
The wining and dining extravaganza features great grapes from Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and Ventura counties with many hard-to-get, boutique vintages as well as local favorites.
There will be two wine sessions to choose from. The popular afternoon tasting takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and just like the Chili Cook Off or the Malibu Art Festival, you’re bound to run into just about everyone you know. The evening session will be a smaller, more intimate affair with three dozen wineries and a delicious spread of gourmet grub.
As the event has grown, so has awareness of regional wines.
“Five years ago, people generally thought all good wine had to come from Napa, and maybe they knew that there was a vineyard off of Kanan Road,” says classic co-founder Michael Barnes. “Now, Santa Ynez wine tours are booming, Malibu wines dot local restaurant wine lists, and some people can name a few of the 40+ vineyards in the Malibu area.”
For more information, check out malibuwineclassic.com.