Reynolds, Taylor, Hough & More Attached For El Portal Theatre's 10th Anniversary Season

Against all odds, Los Angeles' El Portal Theatre celebrates 10 years of live theatre, following the rebuild of the historic movie venue, severely damaged by the Northridge Earthquake of 1994. To mark the anniversary, producers Jay Irwin and Pegge Forrest have programmed a line up of audience favorites and special events specifically catering to the historic theatre's loyal audience, including the return of the one and only Debbie Reynolds, Renee Taylor & Joe Bologna, Rip Taylor, Fritz Coleman, Adam Corolla, and brand new large-scale holiday musical extravaganza produced by the Lythgoe Family (So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars), plus a breath taking Parisian follies/cirque special for the summer.

Rip Taylor stars in
IT AIN'T ALL CONFETTI
Directed by David Galligan
El Portal's Forum Theatre
May 13-30

Rip bares it all in his one man play. A Los Angeles premiere. It is no exaggeration to say that Rip Taylor has succeeded in every facet of the entertainment industry. With recent TV and Film appearances on JackAss, The Bonnie Hunt Show, and in Rob Reiner's Alex and Emma, the legendary wild energy and excitement of Rip Taylor has been introduced to a new generation of fans. Just another reason that he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he does it all!

THE ADAM CAROLLA PODCAST
Recording Live from the El Portal MainStage
June 12, September 17

Join television and radio star ADAM CAROLLA and his guests for a great night of comedy as he produces an actual episode of the ADAM CAROLLA PODCAST live from the stage of the El Portal Theatre. THE ADAM CAROLLA PODCAST is the internet's #1 daily broadband show and is the most downloaded podcast on iTunes with over 150,000 users accessing the site each and every day. Entertainment Weekly rates THE ADAM CAROLLA #1 on their MUST LIST for the internet and the Daily News has proclaimed ADAM CAROLLA "The Podcast King". Adam's prior Podcast in February sold out to standing room only.

BEYOND...
Del ‘ A ‘ Rue Productions
Directed and created by Aurelien Roulin
July 1- Aug 1

A mysterious, sensual cross between a Paris nightclub and a Cirque performance. Gorgeous, world class dancers in Vegas costumes, expert aerialists, acrobats, and a smoky torch singer will excite and arouse in a romantic delight for the senses! This sexy, glitzy show features dancing from around the world, culminating with the wildly fun French Can-Can. Produced by international aerialist and dancer Aurelien Roulin (Producer, GQ Fashion show, virtual dancer on Sting international tour, Ford Modeling, Ramayana 2K3), this show is the first of its kind in LA. Beyond... will appeal to adults and couples of all nationalities and languages looking for a classy, breath taking night out.

ON THE FRITZ
AN EVENING WITH FRITZ COLEMAN
August 19-22

An inside look at LA weather, lifestyle, and television news told by the wittiest broadcaster on the West Coast! The affable honorary Mayor of Toluca Lake and long-time award-winning NBC 4 broadcaster entertains with his acerbic, incisive, yet seemingly gentle comedy and answers any and all questions from the audience about the news business, the weather, a certain late night talk show on NBC, and anything and everything under the California sun in a laugh-filled look at life in the public eye.

Debbie Reynolds
ALIVE & FABULOUS
Back by Popular Demand for her third consecutive year
Sept. 23-Oct. 3

This amazing lady is not only world-renowned, but is also the El Portal Theatre's biggest draw! During 2010, Debbie's will triumphantly have toured England, Australia, Canada and over 10 states in the USA before returning home to the El Portal Theatre - where, as Miss Burbank 1946, she watched the many movies that spurred her on to her meteoric career! The British press reported on May 3 that Ms. Reynolds will perform at the El Portal -her hometown theatre - and then on to Broadway in a yet-to-be-announced project.

A CONVERSATION WITH Edith Head
Starring Susan Claassen
September 23 - October 31
El Portal's Forum Theatre

Susan Claassen performs as one of the most famous Hollywood costume designers and image-maker, Edith Head. In this show, "Edith" shares her humorous and fascinating stories of working with Hollywood stars, directors, and producers from Mae West to Grace Kelly to Steve Martin, and shows actual wardrobe pieces, designs, and inspirations for some of America's most famous movies. Ms. Claassen has received accolades from London, Edinburgh, Austin, Phoenix, Tucson, San Diego, and the New York Times even says "Susan Claassen, who plays the title role, bears a striking resemblance to the legendary designer."

Renee Taylor AND Joe Bologna
"SORT Of A LOVE STORY"
A WORLD PREMIERE COMEDY
By Joe Bologna and Richard Krevolin
Oct 14-24

Following their sold out performances of "If You Ever Leave Me, I'm Going With You," and "It Had to Be You," "Sort Of A Love Story" is a bold, funny and ultimately poignant play about two people who start off with so many strikes against them, it would seem impossible for them ever to get together. It's a hilarious look at how our need to love and be loved can make miracles happen. Join two of America's favorite actor/comedians in this WORLD PREMIERE comedy, prior to a national tour.

Written by Joe Bologna and Richard Krevolin, it stars Mr. Bologna as Frankie, and his wife, the stage, screen and TV star, RENÉE TAYLOR, as Ginna. In this tour de force comedy/drama Miss Taylor also plays 12 female characters and Mr. Bologna plays all 10 of the male characters. 10 PERFORMANCES ONLY!

A Modern Musical Extravaganza
CINDERELLA
A Traditional London Panto
Produced and directed by The Lythgoe Family
With special choreography by Derek Hough
November 27 - December 19

Lythgoe Family Productions presents Cinderella, a Modern, Musical Extravaganza! In the style of the outrageous British holiday pantomimes, Nigel, Bonnie, and Kris Lythgoe (the people responsible for "So You Think You Can Dance," "Dancing With The Stars," and "American Idol") bring this wild, wacky, and adorable holiday event to the states. A talent search for Cinderella will take place over the summer throughout Los Angeles and the winner will star in this exciting production. With special choreography by Dancing With the Stars Derek Hough, the show will blend the time-honored fairy tale with contemporary pop music and dancing, outrageous and audience-interactive comedy, magic tricks designed by the amazing Ed Alonzo, and will feature fantastic costumes direct from London. Fun for the kids, but clever enough to delight adults. All British - all the time!

El Portal Theatre is a historic landmark in the San Fernando Valley located in the heart of North Hollywood just minutes from Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Disney, ABC, CBS-Radford and NBC Burbank. The theatre, originally built as a vaudeville house in 1926, sits across Lankershim Blvd from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Art Institue of California-Hollywood. In early 2007 the long awaited redevelopment of North Hollywood came to fruition with the grand openings of restaurants, upscale shops and a charming, urbanesque environment.

Since its opening in 1926 -- first for Vaudeville, then Silent Movies, and then Academy Award-winning films -- as the primo movie house in the valley, the theatre has weathered the Jazz Age, the Depression, 4 wars, and finally the great earthquake of 1994. The lobbies boast luscious carpeting secured in 2004 from the now demised Los Angeles Shubert Theatre. Mr. Irwin and Ms. Forrest have been with El Portal Theatre as Managers and Producers since its reopening in 2000.

What: El Portal Theatre's 10th Anniversary Season
Where: The NoHo Arts District
5269 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Website: www.elportaltheatre.com
For tickets: 818-508-4200

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