Be a guest at Coleman’s ‘Reception’
JOYCE RUDOLPH
Fritz Coleman has a knack for pegging people and relationships in his
routine “The Reception,” which he has performed in theaters around
Los Angeles.
One fan commented, after seeing this poignant, yet funny,
production, “I had no idea you were at my wedding reception.”
“It’s a one-man play. I narrate an imaginary wedding and reception
while the characters are shown on a 6-foot-by-9-foot rear-projection
screen,” said the stand-up comedian and local TV weatherman. He has
been KNBC-TV Channel 4’s weather forecaster for the “Channel 4 News”
for 20 years.
There are 14 characters in the piece -- all played by actors, he
said. It’s like a wedding album with narration.
“The play is a poignant, moving comedy and drama combination,” he
said. “There are lots of touching moments -- pearls of my stand-up
comedy routine. It’s fun. There’s a story about the odd relationships
in a family and the irony of the blemishes of relationships all told
on a day of the wedding.”
This Saturday, he will provide the chuckles when he performs the
show as a benefit for Burbank’s Colony Theatre and the
Glendale-Crescenta Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. One
hundred percent of the proceeds go to these groups, Coleman said.
In addition to the fund-raiser, Colony officials are sponsoring a
blood drive from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, said Barbara Beckley,
producing director. Appointments can be made by calling 558-7000 ext.
15, but drop-in donors are welcome also.
The Colony has co-sponsored theater fund-raisers for other
charities such as Burbank Temporary Aid Center and the Boys and Girls
Club.
“We want to be part of the community and these are ways we can
give back and can benefit everybody,” she said.
Beckley saw “The Reception” when it played at the Victory Theatre
in Burbank.
“It’s funny, touching, surprising,” she said. “You see a whole new
side of Fritz.”
The theater’s portion of the proceeds will go to creating
education and outreach programs, she said.
“The Reception” begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Burbank Center
Stage, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Tickets are $50 for the performance
and $125 for the performance and a post-show reception with Coleman,
catered by Arnie Morton’s The Steakhouse. For reservations, call
558-7000 or go online to www.colonytheatre.org.
*
Burbank author Jenine Weyrauch will sign her new book, “40 ... and
stuck in the Middle, A Journey of Your Greatness,” from 6 to 8 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Priscilla’s Coffee House, 4150 Riverside Drive, Burbank.
Weyrauch was born here and graduated from John Burroughs High
School.
Although it is addressed to women in (or nearing) their 40s, the
book’s topic could be a guide for any age or gender as the author
offers a proactive approach to taking control -- and responsibility
-- for one’s life. The author attempts to guide readers toward making
decisions that will help them reach their goals and ambitions.
The book is 224 pages and is $17.99 (soft back). To order a copy,
go online to www.pervictbody.com or e-mail jenine7@juno.com.
The author will also appear at the SinglesFest Friday, Saturday
and Sunday at The Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. For information on
this event, go online to www.SinglesFest.com.
*
Three-time Emmy Award-winner Jack Klugman opens “An Evening With
Jack Klugman” Saturday at The Falcon Theatre.
Klugman will talk about working with such legendary figures as
Humphrey Bogart, Henry Fonda, Ethel Merman, Judy Garland and Tony
Randall, as well as sharing his battle and recovery from throat
cancer.
The Philadelphia native knew he wanted to be an actor, and
following his World War II Army service, used his GI bill to attend
Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh. He made his Broadway debut in the 1952
revival of Clifford Odet’s “Golden Boy” with Lee J. Cobb and John
Garfield.
Other early Broadway appearances include “The Odd Couple,” “Gypsy”
(with Ethel Merman) and “Tchin-Tchin.” He also toured the country
with Henry Fonda in the acclaimed Broadway comedy, “Mister Roberts.”
He has received three Emmy Awards, his first for Best Actor in a
Dramatic Series for “The Defenders,” and two for Best Actor in a
Comedy Series for “The Odd Couple.” Other honors include a Golden
Globe award for “The Odd Couple” and even a Chloe Award for his role
in an Eagle Brand Snacks commercial.
In 1996, he and Tony Randall reprised their television roles in
the London revival of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple.” Again with Tony
Randall, he starred in the 1997 Broadway revival of “The Sunshine
Boys” with Randall’s company, the National Actors’ Theatre.
Klugman recently completed touring the United States and Canada,
starring in Ernest Thompson’s “On Golden Pond.”
“An Evening with Jack Klugman” continues through Oct. 19.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 4 p.m.
Sundays. Ticket prices for adults range from $25 to $37.50. For
reservations, call 955-8101. The Falcon Theatre is at 4252
Riverside Drive.
* JOYCE RUDOLPH’s column appears Wednesdays. For events happening
this weekend, read her 48 Hours column Saturdays. Reach her at
637-3241.