Benefit Performance to Honor Slain Actor

Friends and colleagues of slain actor Anthony Lee will hold a benefit performance tonight at the El Portal Center for the Arts in North Hollywood to raise money for a student arts organization named in his honor.

The variety show, titled “Turning the Poison into Medicine,” will feature performances by several celebrities, including Wayne Brady of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” James Avery of “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Steve Harris of “The Practice,” Ted Lange of “The Love Boat,” the Los Angeles cast of “The Lion King,” and Kendrick “Ice” MacDonald, billed as the world’s premier African American magician.

Money will go to the Anthony Lee Student Matinee Series memorial fund, administered by the Sacramento Theatre Company, where Lee began his career.

Lee, who was shot and killed by police at a Halloween party in Benedict Canyon last fall, appeared in such films as “Liar, Liar” and “Face of a Stranger,” along with television guest spots on “ER,” “Any Day Now” and “NYPD Blue.”

Tickets are $25 and show time is 7 p.m. For information or to buy tickets, call (818) 508-4200 or (818) 508-0281. Donations to the fund also may be sent to the STC Development Office, 1419 H St., Sacramento 95814.