CUTTING EDGE
There’s no question that the Edgemar Center for the Arts has VIP pals in very high places. The new equity theater, which is located in the Gehry building on Main Street in Santa Monica, is about to reach its fundraising goal-a milestone which gave dedicated friends and fans reason to celebrate. And celebrate they did. Edgemar’s ribbon-cutting/cocktail reception/dining extravaganza and stage show was hosted by Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, and drew some of Hollywood’s heaviest hitters.
The evening kicked off with a $2,000-per-person feast at Rockenwagner restaurant. The appetizing affair was followed by a special performance featuring a talented clan of Edgemar kids. Famous friends included Jason Alexander, Helen Hunt, Hilary Swank, Chad Lowe, Paul Reiser, Sally Field, Christian Slater, Tobey Maguire, Dylan McDermott, Gary Shandling, Michael Clarke Duncan and William H. Macy-not a bad for a local theater with after-school programs.
Edgemar Executive Creative Director Michelle Danner thanked the entertainment community for its ongoing show of support, saying “With their help, we hope to raise enough money to complete the center and provide outreach programs for our kids and the community at large.”
PORTRAIT OF A LADY
American Cinematheque is gearing up for its big megastar bash, and this year’s stellar honoree is none other than Academy Award-winner Nicole Kidman. The Aussie beauty is currently busy at work on the remake of The “Stepford Wives,” co-starring Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler, Glenn Close and creepy Christopher Walken.
The 36-year-old actress was actually born in Honolulu, and has more than 30 motion picture credits including “Moulin Rouge,” “The Others,” “Days of Thunder” and “Billy Bathgate.” Last year, she picked up the coveted Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in “The Hours.” The $ 15-million-a-flick star joins an impressive roster of past American Cinematheque honorees, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, John Travolta, Nic Cage and Jodie Foster.
American Cinematheque is a dedicated non-profit organization that celebrates all things celluloid. It also renovated the historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.
The gala, with its star-studded tributes and retrospectives, is always a delight, and with NK, it should be an evening to die for. The festivities take place on Nov. 14 at the Beverly Hilton.
MUSICAL MILESTONE
And speaking of E tickets, the hottest in town will get you an eyeful and an earful at L.A.’s new architectural marvel-Walt Disney Concert Hall. There will be not one, not two, but three splashy galas with everyone from Tom Hanks to Ozzy Osbourne among the music lovers in attendance, as well as local notables like Liane Weintraub, Eli Broad, Bob Weingarten and Ginny Mancini.
“I believe this is the greatest cultural event in the history of Los Angeles since the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion opened almost a half-century ago,” Weintraub said. “We are thrilled that the time is almost at hand.”
Fabulous fete No. 1 kicks off on Oct. 23 with an inaugural shindig called Sonic LA. Gala No. 2 features the world premiere of John Adams’ The Dharma at Big Sur and concludes with Steven Spielberg, Catherine Zeta-Jones and other A-listers hosting a tribute to Tinseltown and its cinematic scores. Bravo!