Donelle Danigan hosted an eclectic list of current/former child stars & VIP guests at The Hollywood Museum, for an exhibit — “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) & Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie).
Donelle Dadigan with Brothers, Barry & Stanley Livingston (My Three Sons) at Hollywood Museum (Photo Credit – Bill Dow)
Funds were raised for A Minor Consideration (AMC) a non-profit organization that protects young performers. Current President, Scott Schwartz honored Paul Peterson (President Emeritus) for his 50 yrs in show biz, and his never- ending support for child labor laws. Some of the items you can see at the museum 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. A great place to take the kids to see the nostalgic items from the past and current productions that starred talented youths from yesterday to the present day.
Placido Domingo & Ekaterina Semenchuk – Stars of Macbeth (Photo Credit – LA Opera)
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 & 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!
Oscar Winner Margaret O’Brien with memorabilia from her career (Photo Credit – Bill Dow)
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 28th to get lost in the magical musical world of Leonard Bernstein.
Hershey Felder as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro (Photo Credit – Hershey Felder)
In addition, speaking of musical genius, Placido Domingo stars in the L.A. Opera Season Opening on September 17th 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 LA 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 Oct. 16th — followed by Akhnaten by Philip Glass. This opera is sung in Ancient Egyptian, English & Hebrew. Thank God for English Subtitles!
Program for Maestro
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