Donelle Danigan hosted an eclectic list of current/former child stars and VIP guests at The Hollywood Museum, for the exhibition “Child Stars – Then and Now” that will be open to the public through December. Over 25 familiar faces with pop culture status attended, including Academy Award winner Margaret O’Brien, Larry Matthews (“Dick Van Dyke Show”), Tommy Cole (“Mickey Mouse Show”) and Alison Arngrim (“Little House on the Prairie.”)
Funds were raised for A Minor Consideration (AMC), a non-profit organization the protects young performers. Current AMC President Scott Schwartz, honored Paul Peterson (President Emeritus) for his 50 years in show biz, and his never-ending support for child labor laws.
Some of the items you can see at the museum in the exhibition include Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” Shirley Temple’s costume from “Curly Top,” and the shoes worn by Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame. It’s a great place to take the kids to see nostalgic items from past and current productions that starred talented youth from yesterday to the present day.
The wonderful Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in our own Beverly Hills was the perfect setting for Hershey Felder’s “Maestro,” in which he portrays musical genius Leonard Bernstein. Hershey – the man of a thousand faces and voices – has portrayed a myriad of musical masters including George Gershwin, Chopin, Beethoven and Irving Berlin. As Bernstein, Felder encompasses his multiple talents as a composer, conductor, lecturer, etc., and deals with his fascinating life, fraught with sexual secrets, tragedy and his relentless desire to attain greatness. His famous quote: “If I don’t become Brahms or Tchaikovsky when I conduct their work, it hasn’t been a good performance,” the same can be said for Hershey Felder – nuff said!
We were thrilled with his musical selections from “Westside Story,” “On the Town,” and “Candide.” Not only is Felder a piano virtuoso, but his voice in such masterpieces as “Somewhere” (“West Side Story”) rivals that of any prior Tony winner. You have until August 28 to get lost in the magical musical world of Leonard Bernstein
In addition, and speaking of musical genius, Placido Domingo stars in the L.A. Opera “Season Opening” on September 17 as Macbeth. This new production of Verdi’s classic is conducted by James Conlon, and directed by Tony winner Darko Tresnjak. This is Domingo’s 28th role with the L.A. Opera, and his sixth baritone role with the company. Russian mezzo-soprano Ekaternia Semenchuk will appear opposite him as Lady Macbeth. This opera will run until October 16 followed by Akhnaten by Philip Glass. This opera is sung in Ancient Egyptian, English and Hebrew. Thank God for English Subtitles!
