Motion Picture & Television Fund to Present Second Annual 'A Fine Romance' Extravaganza to Benefit Entertainment Industry Community

Motion Picture & Television Fund to Present Second Annual 'A Fine Romance' Extravaganza to Benefit Entertainment Industry Community

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Harry Connick, Jr. to Headline Star-Studded Evening Celebrating the Love Affair Between Hollywood and Broadway

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Stars of the silver screen and the Great White Way will gather once again for the second annual "A Fine Romance" event benefiting the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

The event celebrates the love affair between Hollywood and the theatre, with performances of songs from movies that became Broadway musicals and Broadway musicals that have become movies. The theme for the event was based on the book "A Fine Romance" by longtime MPTF supporter Darcie Denkert.

Hundreds of entertainment industry talent and executives are expected to attend the event, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood. Ticket and sponsorship information is available by calling 818-876-1900.

Chairing the event this year is Jim Gianopulos, Motion Picture & Television Fund board member and chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment, and his wife Ann. Catherine Zeta-Jones will return and welcome special guest host, famed musical artist and Broadway star Harry Connick, Jr.

Joining Zeta-Jones and Connick, Jr. as performers at this year's event are Christina Applegate, Kristen Bell, Jennifer Hudson, Audra McDonald, Shirley MacLaine, Andrea McArdle, Patrick Wilson and Rita Wilson, among other stellar talents to be announced.

"We are so fortunate to once again have so many great performers for this event," said Zeta-Jones. "All of these performers are doing this as a way to support the Motion Picture & Television Fund and give back to our industry colleagues in need. And I am so pleased to announce that our wonderful musical director John Mauceri will again bring his special magic to the show."

The show is being produced by Dan Jinks ("American Beauty") and Laurence Mark ("Dreamgirls") and directed by Dan Mojica ("Beauty and the Beast"), with John Mauceri returning as musical director.

Sponsors of this year's event include rehearsals.com, Sunset Gower Studios, The Hollywood Reporter, Sentient Jet Membership, Henri Zimand and Zimand Entertainment.

"Last year 'A Fine Romance' was an amazing night of great songs by brilliant performers, and it is an honor for Ann and I to chair it again this year, and we are extremely grateful to all those who have been so generous in making it possible. This year's event promises to be even better," said Gianopulos. "The money raised will provide enormous support for the MPTF's health and human services that so many in our industry depend upon."

To raise additional funds for the Motion Picture & Television Fund, an online auction will be held Nov. 17-Dec. 4 featuring a variety of celebrity memorabilia and other one-of-a-kind items and experiences. The auction can be accessed at www.charityfolks.com.

"rehearsals.com is pleased and honored to be the presenting sponsor of 'A Fine Romance' and to support the work done by the Motion Picture & Television Fund," said Paul Schmidman, COO of CenterStaging, the parent company of rehearsals.com. "This is an incredible event that will feature never-before-seen performances which are sure to make a lasting impression on all who attend."

rehearsals.com, CenterStaging's online digital portal powered by MLB.com, is a fully operational, multi-platform High Definition digital studio complex with a team of producers and supporting staff members that are carving out a leading role in the world of audio/video digital recording and studio services. The site features exclusive performance footage of today's top artists such as Taylor Hicks, Chris Isaak and Tom Petty as well as emerging talent such as Beth Hart and Mike Corrado.

"We are very excited to be having this event at Sunset Gower Studios," said Ken Scherer, CEO of the Motion Picture & Television Fund Foundation. "Robert Papazian and his entire team at Sunset Gower have been very generous with their time, their facility and their dedication to making this event a success."

Legendary Sunset Gower Studios, which has recently undergone an elaborate multi-million dollar upgrading, refurbishing and restoration of 12 fully equipped studio sound stages, executive suites, back office and other studio facilities, is also currently constructing a 96,000 square foot, state-of-the-art 6 story building on the lot to house Technicolor's extensive post production facilities.

"I am very honored to support an organization that has dedicated 85 years of caring for those in the entertainment industry," said Henri Zimand. "Zimand Entertainment is pleased to be continuing its affiliation with the Motion Picture & Television Fund as it increasingly becomes a part of the Hollywood community. My mission is to inspire the entertainment industry to continue to do good deeds in the world."

For 85 years, the Motion Picture & Television Fund has been a major service organization, promoting the well-being of California's entertainment community. Healthcare and childcare, retirement care and charitable social services are provided with compassion and respect for the dignity of the whole person. Charity is at the heart of what MPTF does at the Motion Picture & Television Fund's Country House and hospital, five health centers, Samuel Goldwyn Foundation Children's Center and through financial assistance and community outreach programs. For more information about MPTF visit www.mptvfund.org.

Contact: Steve Honig
The Honig Company, Inc.
818-986-4300
press@honigcompany.com

Source: Motion Picture & Television Fund

CONTACT: Steve Honig of The Honig Company, Inc., +1-818-986-4300,
press@honigcompany.com, for Motion Picture & Television Fund

Web site: http://www.mptvfund.org/

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