Stars of Stage and Screen Gather for 'A Fine Romance' to Celebrate the Love
Affair Between Hollywood and Broadway and Raise Money for the Motion Picture &
Television Fund
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The lights of the Great White Way and
the stars of Hollywood shone brightly tonight as some of the biggest stars
from stage and screen came together for an event hosted by Catherine
Zeta-Jones benefiting the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF).
The event, called "A Fine Romance," celebrated the love affair between
Hollywood and the theatre, with performances from movies that became Broadway
musicals and Broadway musicals that became movies. The theme for the event
was based on the newly released book "A Fine Romance" by longtime MPTF
supporter Darcie Denkert.
The event was held at a private residence in Holmby Hills, Calif., and was
attended by more than 400 celebrities and entertainment industry figures.
The evening began with a cocktail reception, which was followed by live
celebrity performances honoring musicals from stage and screen. Zeta-Jones
performed "All That Jazz" and "Nowadays," both from the hit musical and movie
"Chicago." Other performances included "Will & Grace" co-star Megan Mullally
singing "Whatever Happened To Mabel" from "Mack & Mabel," Kristin Chenoweth
("Wicked") who sang a rendition of "I Could Have Danced All Night" from "My
Fair Lady," Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur performing "Good Morning
Baltimore" from the hit Broadway musical "Hairspray" and Adam Pascal, who
appears in both the Broadway production and upcoming film of "Rent," singing
"One Song Glory." The evening's music was conducted by John Mauceri, music
director of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
Legendary comedic genius Carl Reiner was also on-hand to introduce a film
clip from the upcoming musical film version of friend Mel Brooks' Broadway
production of "The Producers."
A special moment in the show came following a clip of the incredible dance
number "Get Me To The Church On Time" from the film "My Fair Lady," when
Zeta-Jones went into the audience to introduce special guest John Alderson,
the lead dancer from the number and currently a resident at the MPTF Country
House & Hospital.
"Every so often, one has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives
of others," said Zeta-Jones. "Supporting the Motion Picture & Television
Fund, I am able to give back to the people who work in film and television and
their families. And it was a joy to put the spotlight back on my friend John
Alderson who gave us all such wonderful moments on film."
The evening ended with a Champagne and dessert reception. The event was
co-chaired by Fay and Frank Mancuso and Ann and Jim Gianopulos.
"This event continues a legacy of support by the entertainment industry
for an institution that was founded 84 years ago by industry members who saw a
need," said Mancuso. "The need to take care of one another in a business that
has many highs and lows. And in the process, a $100 million charitable
organization evolved that is a national model of health and human services.
Jim and I are grateful to the talent who have helped us raise close to $1
million."
To raise additional funds for MPTF, a live auction was held with legendary
"Let's Make A Deal" host Monty Hall serving as auctioneer. Among the items
auctioned-off were a fashion trip to Italy from Salvatore Ferragamo, tickets
to see U2 and Green Day concerts in Los Angeles from America Online, a pair of
4.39 Carat diamond earrings from Harry Winston, a Cabo San Lucas golf
excursion from Fay and Frank Mancuso, and a Valentine's Day weekend in New
York City from Anda's Spirit USA & Henri Zimand.
Sponsors of the event were America Online, Anda's Spirit USA & Henri
Zimand, Harry Winston, The Hollywood Reporter, The Lincy Foundation, Philips
Electronics and Salvatore Ferragamo.
"We are pleased to support and be involved with the Motion Picture &
Television Fund -- an organization dedicated to the health and care of those
in the entertainment industry," said Jon Miller, Chairman and CEO, America
Online, Inc. "We congratulate Darcie Denkert on the release of her new book
'A Fine Romance' celebrating the ultimate musical collaborations between
Hollywood and Broadway."
America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.
Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive
services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services.
"I am very proud to support an organization that has dedicated 84 years of
caring for the entertainment community," said Henri Zimand. "I am honored to
dedicate the 1st AndaSpirit Philanthropic Award to Frank and Fay Mancuso for
their dedication to the Motion Picture and Television Fund and their
enrichment of the world through their spirit of giving. I am giving this
award to thank Hollywood for what it is doing for the world and to recognize
the Mancusos who in their rise to success did not forget to help others -- as
my wife Anda did throughout her life."
Henri Zimand created the international philanthropic initiative Anda's
Spirit in honor of his wife Anda who died of breast cancer two years ago.
Anda's Spirit is the framework for Henri's continuing philanthropy. Many
projects are funded in honor of Anda in Israel, England, France and the United
States. Henri endorses meaningful causes around the world ranging from the
eradication of breast cancer to education, children, women's issues,
entertainment/arts/culture and world peace. This fall, in addition to
supporting the Motion Picture & Television Fund's amazing work, Anda's Spirit
is also helping British children with terminal cancer by planting a garden of
45,000 daffodils in Anda's name ("Anda Spirit Field of Hope") across from
Buckingham Palace as part of the Marie Curie Cancer Center "Great Daffodil"
fundraising program.
"Like the Motion Picture & Television Fund, The House of Harry Winston has
enjoyed a rich history with the Hollywood community," said James C. Seuss,
President, Harry Winston.
"We join with so many others in celebrating the great work of the MPTF.
Their long and impressive tradition of support and encouragement -- of always
'being there' in times of need -- makes this extraordinary organization a real
"gem" in the entertainment industry."
The House of Harry Winston is the embodiment of three generations of
Winston jewelers dating back 100 years. Harry Winston, the son of a New York
jeweler, established the company in 1932. Ronald Winston has led the company
since his father's death in 1978, and has built on the solid foundation of the
Winston reputation in order to take the firm into fresh directions for the new
millennium. In 2003, Aber Diamond Corporation, the premier publicly traded
diamond company, acquired Harry Winston, Inc.
"The Hollywood Reporter is delighted to once again participate in an event
with the Motion Picture & Television Fund," said Robert Dowling,
editor-in-chief and publisher of The Hollywood Reporter. "The efforts of the
Motion Picture & Television Fund have always been a significant cornerstone of
the entertainment community and The Hollywood Reporter is delighted to be a
part of their ongoing activities."
Top news-gathering and publishing organization The Hollywood Reporter is a
must-read for entertainment's most powerful, influential people. More than
144,000 key decision makers worldwide rely on the publication for fuel for
thought that enables success in a continually evolving business and creative
environment. The Hollywood Reporter provides comprehensive coverage of the
global entertainment industry with six editions: Daily, Weekly International,
Special Issues, E-Mail, THR-East and its Neal Award-winning Web site
http://www.HollywoodReporter.com. The Hollywood Reporter is published by
Netherlands-based VNU, the world's largest organization of
entertainment-related publications and services.
"As a leader in creating technology innovations which are simple to use
and enhance the quality of life, we see a natural synergy with MPTF. Both
MPTF's work and our advanced technologies span the entire scope of healthcare
and healthy living," said Paul Zeven, CEO Philips Electronics North America.
"Philips is proud to be a part of 'A Fine Romance' and continue our support of
MPTF's dedication to caring for the Hollywood community."
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest
electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $ 37.66 Billion (EUR
30.3 billion) in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of
healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 159,700 employees in more than 60
countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging
and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and
silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at
http://www.philips.com/newscenter.
"Our company's roots extend deep into Hollywood," explains Massimo
Ferragamo, chairman of Ferragamo USA and son of company founder Salvatore
Ferragamo. "Some of my father's original clients -- Mary Pickford, Douglas
Fairbanks, the ones that helped establish him as 'shoemaker to the stars' --
founded MPTF to insure the well-being of future generations. We're honored to
be supporting such a worthwhile organization and contributing to the industry
that continues to love Ferragamo."
Salvatore Ferragamo is one of the world's foremost luxury brands. Based
in Florence, Italy and still owned by the Ferragamo family, the company traces
its origins to the film industry, where superior style and craftsmanship
established Salvatore Ferragamo as 'Shoemaker to the Stars.' Today, Salvatore
Ferragamo is a global leader in Italian fashion with product collections
including shoes, handbags, leather goods, silks, fragrance, eyewear, and
ready-to-wear for men, women and children. The company's retail network
includes more than 200 directly controlled stores worldwide.
For almost 85 years, the Motion Picture & Television Fund has been a major
service organization, promoting the well-being of California's entertainment
community. Healthcare and childcare, retirement care and charitable social
services are provided with compassion and respect for the dignity of the whole
person. Charity is at the heart of what MPTF does at the Motion Picture &
Television Fund's Country House and hospital, five health centers, Samuel
Goldwyn Foundation Children's Center, and through financial assistance and
community outreach programs. For more information about MPTF visit
http://www.mptvfund.org.
Contact: Steve Honig
The Honig Company, Inc.
310-246-1801
press@honigcompany.com
SOURCE Motion Picture & Television Fund
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Related links:
http://www.mptvfund.org
CONTACT:
Steve Honig of The Honig Company, Inc.,
+1-310-246-1801, press@honigcompany.com, for Motion Picture &
Television Fund
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