Actor Dan Lauria Discusses Collection of Children's Stories with Channel 3's Scot Haney, 11/7

You loved him as the father on TV's "The Wonder Years." Now meet him in a new role: The Godfather.

Actor Dan Lauria, in conversation with Channel 3's Scot Haney, will discuss his career and the collection of children's stories he created for his godson, Julian, at a special event Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Mark Twain House and Museum, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford.

The star of A Christmas Story, the musical, playing at The Bushnell Nov. 12-17, will sign copies of his book, "The Blue Hair Club and Other Stories," the first in the Godfather Tales Series, following the program with Haney, which begins at 6 pm. Proceeds from the books' sales benefit a charity assisting single moms and Julian's education. Books (geared toward kids aged 5-10) may be pre-ordered at http://shop.marktwainhouse.org/ or 860-280-3136.

A Christmas Story's famous "leg lamp" will be on hand, along with "Ralphie's" pink bunny suit from the show for photo ops with the kids. Drawings will be held for tickets to the show at The Bushnell and for CDs of the musical's soundtrack. Refreshments, including some "Oh, fudge!," courtesy of the show, will be served and kids from the cast of A Christmas Story will be on hand to read excerpts from the book.

The event is being presented free of charge. Questions or more information: bookauthorpub@yahoo.com.

Dan Lauria has appeared as a guest star in over seventy television episodic programs and more than 20 Movie Of The Week productions. He has a score of film credits which include, STAKEOUT, ANOTHER STAKEOUT, and the commercial blockbuster, INDEPENDENCE DAY and the Frank Miller production of Will Esiner's; THE SPIRIT. Dan was also in the cult comedy: ALIEN TRESPASS. Dan is a very familiar face to the off-off, off and regional theatre scene having performed, written or directed over 50 professional stage productions. In 2010/11 Dan was seen on Broadway as the legendary coach Vince Lombardi in the long running production of LOMBARDI, directed by Mr. Thomas Kail, with the beautiful and talented Judith Light playing Marie Lombardi. Dan returned to Broadway in the 2013 production of the Tony nominated production of A CHRISTMAS STORY: The Musical directed by John Rando. However, Dan is most recognized as the Dad on the highly acclaimed Emmy winning, ABC television show, THE WONDER YEARS. Currently, Dan can be seen as Jack Sullivan on the new TBS sitcom; SULLIVAN & SON with Steve Byrne as SON.

Photographing families and capturing kids in their truest form of happiness, creativity and wonder, Cathryn Farnsworth has written many custom children's books. Cathryn creates a tale interweaving her photographs and the children's unique personalities. In 2011, Cathryn won the award for Best Headshot Photographer in Los Angeles. She has also had the privilege of working with authors, including photographing the covers of several best selling novels. Originally from Littleton, Colorado, Cathryn resides in Los Angeles with her magnificent son, Julian, Dan's godson.

"When I chose Dan to be my son's godfather, I knew he would be a good choice. However, I had no idea how amazing his relationship with my son Julian would become, and how devoted Dan would be in that role!

Story telling is a big part of my parenting. Dan Took it to another level and started creating stories nearly every day. Once that began, Julian only wanted original tales for story time. Each day would begin with, "Surely you know the story of the little boy who fell through the hole in his sock, don't you?" Julian would protest, "That's not a real story!!", and Dan would have all day to come up with the story -- thus began the "Godfather Tales".

I hope your family gets as much joy out of them as ours did in creating them."

Brandon Morino is an illustrator living in Los Angeles. With an emphasis on creating expressive character design, over the years he's lent his skills to many major publications, including The Hollywood Reporter and the Los Angeles Daily News; companies such as Citibank and DimensionU; public relations firms like MS&L and Cerrell Associates; and published works including "Skye the Troll" by Apryl Skies, "Che: The Lost Diaries" by David Carter , and his own self-published title "The Big H".

Brandon is a "Mac" guy, enjoys Tabasco sauce on (nearly) everything, and is a taco aficionado par excellence.

Scot Haney keeps Connecticut updated with the most-accurate weather forecasts especially tailored to the morning commute. You can see Scot weekdays on Eyewitness News This Morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m., He also co-hosts "Better Connecticut" weekdays on Channel 3 at 3 p.m.

Scot's warm personality and enjoyable character are a welcome addition to the Channel 3 Early Warning Weather team.

Before joining Channel 3 in November 1998, Scot earned his bachelor's degree from St. John's University in New York City, his master's degree at Syracuse University and has taken the required number of courses according to the American Meteorological Society to qualify as a meteorologist.

Most of his coursework was done at Stony Brook University in Long Island, N.Y. Scot has always wanted to take part in television, but first held many jobs before he decided to return to school in 1990. Shortly afterward, Scot got his first on-air job in Topeka, Kan., as a weekend weatherman and a weekday general assignment reporter.

His contributions to the community include volunteering at various events -- whether it's helping organizations raise money for a cure or spending time with children -- Scot makes a personal commitment to help anyway he can.

In 2007, My Sisters' Place honored Scot with the organization's "Advocate Award" for "his extraordinary effort in bringing attention to important causes through hundreds of personal appearances each year.

Scot received the 2003 American Red Cross Service Award and The Hartford Advocate honored him as the Best News Personality in Connecticut for 12 consecutive years.

A Christmas Story, The Musical, three-time Tony nominated production, plays The Bushnell in Hartford, CT (November 12-17) and The Wang Theatre in Boston, MA (November 20 - December 8) before returning to New York at The Theater at Madison Square Garden (December 11 - 29).

For tickets at the Bushnell: www.bushnell.org or call 860-987-5900. Groups of 10 or more may reserve tickets by contacting David Rodriguez at 860-987-5959 or groups@bushnell.org.

The musical features a bright, nostalgic score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a witty book by Joseph Robinette based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 film favorite. Tony Award winner John Rando (Urinetown) directs the production with Warren Carlyle (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Chaplin, Follies) choreographing.

Masterworks Broadway released the World Premiere Recording of A Christmas Story, The Musical both digitally and on CD.

BOSTON: For tickets and information, visit www.citicenter.org or call (866) 348-9738. Groups of 10 or more may reserve tickets now by contacting Citi Performing Arts Center Group Sales at (617) 532-1116 or groupsales@citicenter.org.

NEW YORK: A Christmas Story, The Musical plays a limited engagement at The Theater at Madison Square Garden,December 11 - 29. Tickets are on sale now. For tickets and information: www.theateratmsg.com/achristmasstory, www.AChristmasStoryTheMusical.com, or call 866-858-0008.

The Mark Twain House & Museum (www.marktwainhouse.org ) has restored the author's Hartford, Connecticut, home, where the author and his family lived from 1874 to 1891. Twain wrote his most important works during the years he lived there, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

In addition to providing tours of Twain's restored home, a National Historic Landmark, the institution offers activities and educational programs that illuminate Twain's literary legacy and provide information about his life and times.

The house and museum at 351 Farmington Ave. are open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5:30 p.m. For more information, call 860-247-0998 or visitwww.marktwainhouse.org.

Programs at The Mark Twain House & Museum are made possible in part by support from the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of the Arts, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council's United Arts Campaign.

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