Hollywood Film & TV Stars Put on Broadway Show
“A Night At Sardi’s” fundraiser honors Garry Marshall and has stars singing Broadway tunes to help Alzheimer’s Association
“A Night at Sardi’s” is the annual star-studded benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association, presented as a musical revue that is worthy of playing on Broadway. Film and TV stars participate and show off their musical theater skills. And this year they got to belt out tunes from Chicago, Cabaret, New York, New York and other Kander and Ebb classic shows.
It is an unforgettable event that has hundreds of celebrities on the red carpet supporting the fundraiser, and dozens of luminaries on the stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel to entertain.
Seth Rogen (Funny People) was the emcee, who was in awe of the star-power on hand to give out awards, plus introduced and performed show-stopping Broadway numbers.
Seth Rogen
Rogen was really impressed by Garry Marshall and suggested that they do a remake of Marshall’s Pretty Woman together. Rogen said, “We’ll call it Schlubby Dude.”
Garry Marshall
Garry was one of the evening’s honorees, along with his sisters Ronny (a theater producer) and Penny (who was unable to attend). The lovely Anne Hathaway (star of three Marshall films) made the presentation. The Champions Award was given for the Marshalls’ involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association Champions campaign as voices for those touched by the disease.
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher were there. Demi presented the Alzheimer’s Association’s Caregiver Award to her friend, former childstar Soleil Moon Frye, who did a documentary called Sonny Boy which followed Soleil’s father’s struggle with Alzheimer’s.
A big dose of Broadway followed with performances by a talented troupe of Hollywood stars. Helping to introduce the acts were The Big Bang Theory castmates Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar. Also, Jason Alexander, Gilles Marini, Chris Pine, Hector Elizondo, and many more.
Johnny Galecki
Eric McCormack opened up with “Willkommen” from Cabaret, and Lea Thompson did a sassy “Don’t Tell Mama.” American Idol finalist Allison Iraheta wowed everybody with the torch song “A Quiet Thing.” Others polishing their musical skills were Ken Howard with “Mr. Cellophane,” Sharon Lawrence with “Arthur in the Afternoon,” Tracie Thoms with “Maybe This Time,” Anoop Desai with “How Lucky Can You Get,” Billy Porter with “Cabaret,” and Samantha Harris with “All That Jazz.”
Allison Iraheta
Making it a family affair on the stage, Michael Chiklis sang “Money Money” with his daughter Autumn, and Peter Gallagher belted out “And the World Goes Round” with his daughter Kathryn.
Steven Weber dressed like Sarah Palin and sang “Nobody’s Got No Class” from Chicago. It brought down the house. A more touching moment was David Hyde Pierce singing “Your Face,” a tribute to loved ones we’ve lost and will always remember. And the entire cast did “New York, New York” for the finale.
Laurie Burrows Grad and her husband Peter Grad created the event and co-chair it every year. It is a wonderful tribute to Broadway great Abe Burrows, Laurie’s dad, who battled the disease.
Susan Dietz, who has produced the Broadway-quality revue for 18 years, received the Humanitarian Award for her extensive history of supporting the event that sadly is over in just one night. But, wow, what a night, with the grand ballroom at the Beverly Hilton decorated like Sardi’s, the New York hangout for Broadway stars.
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