It's at the Skirball, it is celeb-y, it is lively, and it starts in the middle of the afternoon. But of course. After all, if one wants to watch the Tony Awards live, one has to begin when the sun is still high in the sky over Southern California. It's the opposite, really, of all those East Coasters who stay up through the wee smalls to see who won Best Picture.
Oh time differences. You charm us.
The Actors Fund's annual Tony Awards party, happening on Sunday, June 7, is a West Coast tradition, attracting theater buffs, theater stars, stars of screen, and people who like a fancy-ish to-do with a bit of stardust to it. Dancer Chita Rivera is the honoree -- oh, the gams, moves, and sheer wattage of that lady -- at the Broadway-focused bash. Dick Van Dyke is the host, and Marc Cherry of "Desperate Housewives" is a writer on the show, along with "CSI" scribe David Rambo. Big. Razzmatazz. Hot cha cha, etc.
Dinner, a live showing of the Tonys, a silent auction and a raffle (the big prize, a trip to New York, fits the feel of the night), and other Great White Way-ish goodies await.
The date is Sunday, June 7. The place is the Skirball Center. The time is 3:30PM. Tickets are $225 -- we did say "fancy-ish to-do" -- but keep in mind that the Actors Fund is an important organization, a place many entertainers have turned to in times of need of the years. We'll even call it a beacon in the arena of the arts.
A writer pal of ours told us the AF started in 1880s -- !!!, right? -- and sure enough, we looked to confirm. That's a lot of helping out of performers over the years. A lot.
