CALABASAS : Variety Shows to Aid School Arts Program

The operator of a private acting school in Calabasas has organized a variety show to benefit arts education programs for schools in the Las Virgenes Unified School District.

The two shows, on Dec. 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. at Calabasas High School, will feature community residents in a variety of acts, said Howard Schwartz, director of the Calabasas Acting School and Theater, which opened six months ago.

“I wanted my first production to have a community appeal and to get the community involved,” he said. “The cabaret format enabled everybody in the community to participate.”

Admission to the Calabasas Community Cabaret and Arts Festival is $10 in advance and $12 at the door, he said. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling (818) 224-3627.

Proceeds will go to various community arts programs, including the district’s high school drama programs, and Volunteers for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a Calabasas-based nonprofit organization, Schwartz said.

Highlights of the show include Lon Bove’s jazz band, a barbershop quartet, a 75-year-old comedienne and a team of tap dancing 12-year-olds, according to Schwartz.

Sponsors include the city of Calabasas, Lockheed Corp. and Calabasas Promenade, Schwartz said.

Albert Marley, superintendent of the Las Virgenes Unified School District, said the schools can use donations because arts programs have been scaled back significantly due to fiscal constraints. He praised Schwartz.

“Howard is such an enthusiastic young man,” said Marley. “He’s a real live wire. He’s got endless energy.”

Schwartz said his acting school grew from 12 students when it opened to about 125 now.

Schwartz is a classically and Shakespearean trained actor, who has studied in London. He will star in his first feature film, “Slaves of Hollywood,” an independently made, dark comedy about the inner workings of Hollywood. It is scheduled to be released in January.