The Valley Line: Golden milestones marked by both Center Theatre Group and L.A. Zoo association
It has been a busy season of fundraising and celebrations in the Los Angeles basin with everything from the Center Theatre Group’s 50th anniversary party to the Los Angeles Zoo’s annual Beastly Ball, which also celebrated its golden anniversary.
The big-bash, over-the-top extravaganza was the 50th anniversary celebration of Center Theatre Group (Ahmanson, Mark Taper and Kirk Douglas theaters) in a one-night only retrospective at the Ahmanson of its many performances, followed by a dinner held across the street in Grand Park.
The numbers tell the story of CTG : 25-plus million seats filled, 634 productions, 122 world premieres, 73 shows sent to New York, 49 Tony Awards and four Pulitzer Prizes for drama.
The event honored several of the company’s groundbreaking and memorable productions staged over the years.
Greeting the assembled 600 guests, who were dressed in their finest for this monumental evening, was actor Frank Langella, who was in the cast of the Taper’s inaugural and controversial 1967 production of “The Devils.”
According to Langella’s memory of that first night, many of the shocked audience, because of its content centering on the Catholic Church, vacated the theater led by then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy.
This first production, directed by CTG’s founder Gordon Davidson, set the tone of “edgy” theater for the Mark Taper, with the Ahmanson staging many musical productions.
Songs from productions such as “Phantom of the Opera,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Rent” and “Gypsy” were just a few of the songs offered during the celebration.
Closing the night’s performance was singer Jennifer Hudson, who brought the house down with her rendition of “I Know Where I’ve Been” from the musical “Hairspray.”
Among some of the notable actors striding the boards of the Ahmanson at this celebration included Annette Bening, Alfred Molina, Phylicia Rashad, Matthew Broderick, Tyne Daly, Edward James Olmos, Louis Gossett Jr. and many others.
Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, was co-chair of the celebration along with Sue Tsao. Director for the production was Robert Egan.
Michael Ritchie, CTG’s artistic director, said, “Tonight is one of the most important in our history as we honor our storied past and build the foundation for our future.”
After the show, the audience was then led across the street by a drum line into Grand Park for an al fresco reception, where they partook in cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and then were seated for a feast catered by Patina.
The outdoor entertainment was a thrilling presentation of the group’s most famous performances, projected onto the tower of Los Angeles City Hall. It was dynamic and awe-inspiring. It certainly was a thrill for me to see it.
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The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn’s annual Beastly Ball attracted nearly 1,000 guests and raised a record-breaking $2.85 million for the L.A. Zoo.
Greeting guests to this lively party were local residents Connie Morgan, GLAZA president, and her husband longtime JPL scientist Matt Golembek, along with and John Lewis, Los Angeles Zoo director, with his wife Debbie.
“Safari casual” was the suggested attire for this evening. Guests strolled through the zoo observing its inhabitants, watching animal feedings, chatting with keepers, and getting close and personal with small animals. Some of those “meet and greet” animals included a Lanner falcon, a macaw, an Angolan python, a skink and a bearded dragon.
Among other animals showcased during the evening were those representing the zoo’s variety such as okapi, giraffe, chimps, elephants, orangutan, Nubian ibex, Western lowland gorilla, Grey’s zebra, Tasmanian devil, koala, Western gray kangaroo wallaby, sloth and many others.
As guests wandered through the zoo they tasted a bountiful fare presented by some of L.A’s most popular restaurants that donated their services for dinner.
Receiving the Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award was the National Geographic Society. Gary E. Knell, president and chief executive of the society, accepted the award. This award was established in memory of former GLAZA chairman Tom Mankiewicz, a beloved and highly regarded film and television writer and director.
Throughout the evening there were silent and live auctions to bid on. The evening included a performance by legendary guitarist and noted wildlife advocate Slash in an exclusive live concert joined by special guests Jack Black, Grace Potter and Bernard Fowler, backed by Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band.
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is also marking its 50th anniversary with a yearlong “Zoo-Abration.”
JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.