Last night's star-studded event at the Geffen Playhouse and the pre-show host committee dinner at Los Angeles' The Backyard restaurant grossed over $1 million for the Geffen Playhouse's education, outreach and artistic initiatives. The fundraiser, honoring Hollywood legend Carol Burnett and Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment Jim Gianopulos, was co-chaired by Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert A. Iger and his wife, journalist Willow Bay.
Entertainment icon Dick Van Dyke presented the Distinction in Theater Award to Ms. Burnett and award-winning actor Warren Beatty presented the Distinction in Service Award to Mr. Gianopulos; the evening was hosted by Emmy Award winning actress Jane Lynch. In addition to the award presentations, the irreverent evening of laughter, music and stories featured personal "backstage" stories or songs by stars of the stage and screen including Beth Behrs, Annette Bening, Dana Delany, Andy Garcia, Monica Mancini, Joe Mantegna, Helen Mirren, Matthew Morrison, Arturo Sandoval and Bruce Vilanch.
Check out photos of all the stars at the event below!
The Geffen Playhouse's annual event raises funds for Geffen's Stage for Any Age programs, which help bring the excitement of live theater to 20,000 families and community members each year. The proceeds from Backstage at the Geffen help underwrite low ticket admissions to Saturday Scene, the popular theater performances for children; fully support the Geffen School Tours Program that takes theater to participating elementary and middle-schools that have little or no resources for the performing arts; and benefit CREATE (Community Representatives Engaged in Active Theater Education), a season-long, interactive exploration and analysis of live theater for community and social service groups, deemed a model program by the City of Los Angeles.Photo credit, Pre-Show and Show: Jordan Strauss/Geffen Playhouse.
Photo credit, Red Carpet: John Shearer/Geffen Playhouse.
Carol Burnett and Dick Van Dyke
Warren Beatty and Dick Van Dyke
Helen Mirren, Annette Bening and Warren Beatty
Dana Delany and Jim Gianopulos
Randall Arney, Jane Lynch and Jim Gianopulos
Renee Puente and Matthew Morrison
Beth Behrs of Two Broke Girls
Jim Gianopulos and Carol Burnett
Event Co-Chair Willow Bay
Renee Puente and Matthew Morrison
Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch
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