Malibu Seen: Laugh-In All the Way

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Pepperdine alumnus and television producer George Schlatter shares a laugh with larger-than-life character Lily Tomlin at the Saban Theater. 

High spirits soared as Pepperdine University honored legendary TV producer George Schlatter during a groovy gala at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills,

“Still Laugh-In: A Toast to George Schlatter” was hosted by Pepperdine’s Center for Entertainment, Media and Culture.

The tribute served as a benefit for the creation of the George Schlatter Comedy Collection at Pepperdine University. Believe it or not, Schlatter is an alumnus of Pepperdine. “It’s true,” said the university’s Ken LaZebnik “He even played football for Pepperdine back in the day.”

In honor of his enormously successful television career, it was time for a well-deserved tribute.

The theater was filled with locals and legends including Shirley MacLaine, Kirk Douglas, Billy Crystal and Jerry Weintraub, as well as plenty of famous “sock-it-to-me” faces like Lily Tomlin, Arte Johnson, Goldie Hawn and Tim Conway. “It was a total blast,” says Craig Detweiler, director for the Center for Entertainment, Media, and Culture at Pepperdine. The evening was hosted by longtime talk show chief Larry King.

The event seemed to lay the entertainment groundwork for years to come. To sum it all up, a top official of the new center said, “We have so many locals here in Malibu. We are creating an environment for them to connect with the community.”

As Arte Johnson would say, the whole happening is verrry interesting.

CURTAIN CALL

An already exciting season at the Geffen Playhouse just got another boost with the addition of multitalented Bette Midler. The legendary singer and actress will step into the chic stilettos of the late Hollywood talent agent Sue Mengers. The diva will reprise her recent Broadway role in the production “I’ll Eat You Last.”

The play was written by John Logan, and Midler brings Mengers to life as she holds court in her Beverly Hills home.

Mengers, who died in 2011, was an agent to some of the biggest names in Hollywood including local Barbra Streisand as well as Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw and Faye Dunaway. “I’ll Eat You Last” is all Bette in a solo show, so don’t miss out.

Geffen Artistic Director Randall Arney put together a full slate of stars, noted authors and award winners for the upcoming season including Annette Bening, Amy Brenneman as well as Academy Award-winning William Friedkin, Pulitzer Prize-winner Donald Margulies, Tony Award-winner Daniel Sullivan and Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter.

Nine productions of new and classic works make up the theater’s 2013-2014 lineup. It’s a diverse season and that’s just the way Arney likes it, saying he was looking for a balance between new plays, recent plays and classic works.

As for the smaller Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, magician-illusionist Teller is happy to take over that cozy corner, presenting “Play Dead.” The production runs through Dec. 15.

Friedkin will direct a revival of Pinter’s “The Birthday Party” beginning in February.