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10th Annual Christmas Eve FIDDLER SING-A-LONG is Around the Corner! Tickets now available!

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*** FIDDLER UPDATES  (skip to main article)
We’re pleased to announce an dynamic and eclectic line-up of Fiddler Hosts for 2017!

Ahrya Fine Arts
Kenny Ellis – entertainer, comedian, singer of Hanukah Swings! – BUY TIX

Royal
Gustavo Bulgach – musician, bandleader of Klezmer Juice – BUY TIX

NoHo 7
Susan Edwards Martin – Broadway star, entertainer – BUY TIX

Playhouse
Jason Moss – of Jewish Federation of the San Gabriel and Pamona Valleys – BUY TIX

Town Center 5
Steve Sass – of Jewish Historical Society (5:00pm show) – BUY TIX
 Cantor Phil Baron – of Valley Beth Shalom (7:30pm show) – BUY TIX

Claremont 5
Cantor Paul Buch  – of Temple Beth Israel – BUY TIX

Jump below to find out more about our hosts.

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Wonder_of_Wonders_edit_2You heard right … it’s our 10th year of FIDDLER!  Join us as we celebrate a decade of song, shtick, and shenanigans by once again coming together as a community for Laemmle’s legendary Christmas Eve experience.

For 2017, this ever-popular event will be occurring at six of our neighborhood venues including the magnificent single screen, art deco AHRYA FINE ARTS in Beverly Hills (see below for full listing and ticket links).

(Jump down to watch the Sing-A-Long trailer.  For tickets, visit Laemmle.com/Fiddler).

In addition to movie and song, the evening will feature TRIVIA with PRIZES being awarded to Fiddler buffs with the quickest recall.  Dressing in COSTUME is not required, but highly encouraged! Who knows, perhaps the best costume will garner a prize?  Or perhaps this is the year you’ll be given an opportunity to do your best Tevye or Golde impression?  That will be up to the emcee.  Indeed, each location will feature its own host, among them some of our favorites from year’s past including CANTOR PHIL BARON and klezmer band leader GUSTAVO BULGACH.

As Greg Laemmle is fond of saying “Christmas Eve isn’t just Chinese food!”  He elaborates, “This is your once-a-year chance to be the star of the shtetl. Join with friends and neighbors and sing your heart out alongside Fiddler’s screen legends. And it’s okay if you haven’t memorized all the songs. We provide the lyrics.”

Song highlights include the iconic “TRADITION”, “IF I WERE A RICH MAN”,  “TO LIFE”, “SUNRISE SUNSET”, “DO YOU LOVE ME?” and “ANATEVKA”, among many, many more.

Don’t be late! Those who wish to attend the program are advised to purchase tickets in advance as the program has traditionally sold to capacity. We welcome all those in the community who are looking for an alternative Christmas Eve.

See you in the shtetl…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnuyNaOEBt4&feature=youtu.be

Fiddler Hosts – 2017

KENNY ELLIS at the Ahrya Fine Arts (Beverly Hills)
Once known as “The Man Behind the Matzoh Ball,” cantor and comedian KENNY ELLIS will be our host at the Ahrya Fine Arts in Beverly Hills. He appears in support of our community partner, the LOS ANGELES JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL. As a cantor and comedian, Ellis has entertained audiences all around the globe. Currently the cantor at Temple Beth Ami in Santa Clarita, you can also catch Ellis at the LAUGH FACTORY in Hollywood. Ellis achieved success with HANUKKA SWINGS! a recording that broke new ground as the first ever big band Hanukkah album. Large YouTube audiences have enjoyed “Swingin’ Dreidel” and other tracks from the hit record.

gustavositting_crop_prGUSTAVO BULGACH at the Royal (West L.A.)
Accomplished Klezmer musician and bandleader GUSTAVO BULGACH will be our host at the Royal in West L.A. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Bulgach was inspired at an early age by the religious and secular life of the Argentine community. Now based in L.A., Bulgach travels the globe uplifting audiences with a vibrant, soulful Klezmer he terms the “soundtrack of the Diaspora.” Bulgach has been a longtime member of the House of Blues Foundation house band backing artist such as LITTLE RICHARD, TAJ MAHAL, and THE WAILERS. His own outfit, KLEZMER JUICE, was featured in the Hollywood mega hit movie THE WEDDING CRASHERS featuring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn.

susan_martin_crop_prSUSAN EDWARDS MARTIN at the NoHo 7 (N. Hollywood)
Broadway star SUSAN EDWARDS MARTIN will represent partner Temple Beth Hillel at our NoHo 7 venue. A star of Broadway, Martin is an accomplished singer, musician, actress and comedienne who originated the role of ‘Lady Blue’ in HARVEY FIERSTEIN’s Tony Award-winning play “Torch Song Trilogy.” She has also appeared in many other Broadway and Off-Broadway productions such as “Bubbling Brown Sugar,” “The Suicide,” and the long-running musical comedy “Scrambled Feet.” Numerous television credits include a recurring role on “Days of our Lives,” and guest appearances on “NYPD Blue,” “Designing Women,” and “Columbo,” among many others. Martin is currently creating a new original musical, “Unlimited” based on her personal story of growing up in Long Island and her ensuing life in show business.

jason-photo_02_edit_cropJASON MOSS at the Playhouse 7 (Pasadena)
Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys JASON MOSS will be our host at the Playhouse 7 in Pasadena. Under his leadership, the Federation has doubled its programming with the creation of such programs as the Cultural Arts Program, PJ Library, a nationally recognized program to reach and connect with unaffiliated Jewish families. In addition, Moss recently launched JLife SGPV, a lifestyle magazine celebrating Jewish life in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.

phil-baron_02_crop2_lrCantor PHIL BARON at the Town Center 5 (Encino), 7:30pm Show
Cantor PHIL BARON of Temple Valley Beth Shalom in Encino comes to us courtesy of community partner JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY (JHS) and the BREED STREET SHUL. Baron is the son of a violinist and the grandson of a Vilna rabbi. Before becoming a cantor, he took a successful detour into children’s entertainment, where he had over 300 original songs recorded – nearly 200 of these by the Walt Disney Co. He co-created two television series for Jewish children, Bubbe’s Boarding House, and the multiple award-winning series Alef…Bet…Blast-off! As a vocalist he has been featured with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra and the New Orleans Philharmonic.

Paul Buch_prCantor PAUL BUCH at the Claremont 5 (Claremont)
Cantor PAUL BUCH has served Temple Beth Israel in Claremont since 2003. He came to the cantorate after a 25 year career in TV and film production in Los Angeles, New York, and Portland. In addition to his cantorial duties, Buch is President of the Claremont Interfaith Council and serves on the Faith-Based Roundtable of the Pomona Unified School District. He is also Chair of the City of Claremont’s Human Relations Committee and serves on an advisory committee at the Claremont School of Theology. This will be his fourth consecutive year as our Fiddler host in Claremont!

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PROGRAM DETAILS

DATE: Sunday, December 24th

TIME: 7:30pm

PRICING:
General Admission – $18
Seniors/Children – $15
Premiere Card Adult – $12
Premier Card Seniors – $10

LOCATIONS:
Claremont – Get Tickets
Ahrya Fine Arts – Get Tickets
NoHo – Get Tickets
Playhouse – Get Tickets
Royal – Get Tickets
Town Center – Get Tickets 

Former ADL National Director Abe Foxman on the New Film ‘1945:’ “An astonishing new achievement.”

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Based on the acclaimed story “Homecoming” by Gábor T. Szántó, 1945 is a haunting film about the deep undercurrents beneath the surface of a quaint village that’s ultimately forced to face up to its “ill-gotten gains” from the Second World War. We open 1945 next week at the Royal, Town Center, and Playhouse and next month at the Claremont 5. Former National Director of the Anti-Defamation League Abe Foxman saw and loved the movie and wrote the following about it:

“The Hungarian Jewish experience during WWII was unique among European countries. Until 1944, Hungarian Jews lived in relative safety despite anti-Jewish laws that existed since 1920 and pogroms in which the military participated (e.g. the 1942 Novi-Sad pogrom where 1000 Jews were murdered).

Abe Foxman

“But then, in March 1944, when the Germans occupied Hungary, Adolf Eichmann implemented the “final solution” in that country and was surprised by the collaboration and great help received from the Hungarian authorities. Thus, the deportation and murder of Hungarian Jews was swift and unparalleled among any other European country – in a few months more than 600,000 Jews were identified and sent to the murder camps.

“Only now, more than 70 years after, “Yad Vashem” has succeeded to identify the names of 80% of those who perished but the issue of their property and belongings has hardly been addressed.

“For that reason, the new Hungarian film 1945 , currently playing in NYC theaters and soon opening across North America, is quite relevant to today. But not only because of that…

“On one clear day, after the war ended, two Orthodox Jews appear in a small village in Hungary, hiring two locals to carry two trunks labeled “perfumes” for them. All they do is walk slowly, across the village, after the wagon carrying their trunks, but their appearance evokes strong feelings of guilt and remorse that slowly make the village community deteriorate.

“It seems most of the villagers collaborated in extraditing the Jews that lived there up to a year before and gladly took over their property, from kitchenware to their houses.

“Shot in beautiful black and white, director Ferenc Torok (who is not Jewish) interprets Gabor Szanto’s (who is Jewish) short story “Homecoming,” with vast strokes of sensitivity and a final mesmerizing emotional effect.

“1945 is a real masterpiece, heightened by the end of the film when we, the audience and the villagers, understand the real mission of these two Orthodox Jews. It’s a rare moment where one of Judaism’s most important contributions to the world, that of guilt and remorse over moral wrong doings and the sanctity of life, are presented in such a heart wrenching way on film.

“What is most astonishing is that the two Jews have not traveled to this village to claim their stolen property, but the emotional effect of their silence provokes this issue out from the conscience of the villagers.

“The issue of the stolen property of the Jews is still relevant today. Just recently the Polish government issued a new law which states compensation funds will be awarded only to people that are Polish citizens in the present, thus withholding compensation to the Jews and their descendants whose property was absconded in Poland during these years.

“Although Germany started compensating Jewish victims in the 1950’s, most Eastern European governments are still dragging their feet on this issue.

“The film 1945 is an astonishing new achievement which I highly recommend every human being to see, regardless of his/her religion.”

 

 

WATCH: Director Ferenc Török Invites YOU to ‘1945,’ Opening November 24. Plus: His Q&A Schedule.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goOD0VdUeQQ&feature=youtu.be

Laemmle Theatres is pleased to open 1945 on November 24 at the Royal, Playhouse, and Town Center and December 8 at the Claremont 5.

‘1945’ Q&A schedule with director Ferenc Török:
Friday, November 24th
3:15pm Show – Town Center 5, Encino
7:50pm Show – Royal, West LA

Saturday, November 25th

3:15pm Show – Town Center 5, Encino
7:50pm Show – Royal, West LA

Sunday, November 26th
1:40pm Show – Playhouse 7, Pasadena
3:15pm Show – Town Center 5, Encino
5:35pm Show – Royal, West LA*

* with Michael Berenbaum, director of the Sigi Ziering Institute at
American Jewish University

Enter to Win a BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL Poster Signed by Legendary Director Takashi Miike

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Takashi Miike’s 100th feature film, BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL screens November 10th – 16th in Pasadena, NoHo, and Beverly Hills. To celebrate we’re giving away two BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL posters signed by the legendary filmmaker himself!

Enter for a chance to win by sharing a picture of your movie tickets on Instagram, checking-in at one of our theaters, and/or retweeting us (you’ll find full entry details below).

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for the film. Enter the giveaway below.

Signed BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL poster giveaway

Two winners will be selected at random and announced on November 17th, 2017. Giveaway open to California residents only. No purchase necessary.

30th Anniversary: Lasse Hallstrom’s MY LIFE AS A DOG Screens November 15th in Pasadena, Encino, and West LA

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Laemmle Theatres and the Anniversary Classics Series present the 30th anniversary of the American release of director Lasse Hallstrom’s breakthrough film, MY LIFE AS A DOG (1987).

This screening, the latest installment of the Anniversary Classics Abroad program, takes place at three locations: Royal in West LA, Town Center in Encino, and Playhouse 7 in Pasadena on Wednesday, November 15 at 7PM. Presented digitally.

Click here for tickets.


The film, based on an autobiographical novel by Reidar Jonsson, was a huge art-house hit in 1987, and was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Lasse Hallstrom as Best Director and Screenplay from Another Medium (Jonsson adapting his novel along with Hallstrom, Brasse Brannstrom and Per Berglund).

Its success launched Swedish helmer Hallstrom’s Hollywood career. The former music video director for 1970s pop group Abba went onto a run of acclaimed films including the Oscar nominated What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (supporting actor nod -Leonardo Di Caprio), The Cider House Rules (best picture, director nods and supporting actor Oscar for Michael Caine), Chocolat (best picture nod), The Shipping News, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, and the forthcoming Disney film version of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.

MY LIFE AS A DOG, set in Sweden in 1958-59, relates the adventures of plucky 12-year
Ingemar Johansson (played to impish perfection by Anton Glanzelius), who is sent to live with relatives in a small town during his mother’s health crisis.

Through a series of anecdotes and vignettes, he copes with a variety of characters and encounters in such an engaging manner that Vincent Canby in the New York Times noted, “Ingemar is a most winning adolescent – skeptical, introspective, curious – trying earnestly to bring order of nature’s chaos.”

Leonard Maltin offered similar praise, “Both comedic and poignant, this is ultimately an honest depiction of the often confusing nature of childhood.” The Washington Post summed up its appeal as a “well-constructed crowd pleaser.”

Audiences agreed, and accolades followed, with the film winning year-end awards as best foreign film from the Hollywood Foreign Press, National Board of Review, and New York Film Critics.

A BRIDE FOR RIP VAN WINKLE Posters for the First Five Ticket Holders.

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The first five A BRIDE FOR RIP VAN WINKLE ticket holders will receive a free BRIDE movie poster before the Royal, Playhouse, and NoHo screenings November 10-12.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ya6Rn2OKxc

INHERITANCE Filmmakers and Lead Actress at the Playhouse Opening Night for a Q&A.

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INHERITANCE writer-director Laura E. Davis and writer-director-star Jessica Kaye will participate attend the 9:55 PM show at the Playhouse on Friday, October 27 for a Q&A.

MONOGAMISH Filmmaker Q&A’s After All Screenings.

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MONOGAMISH filmmaker Tao Ruspoli will participate in Q&A’s after all screenings November 5-8 at the Fine Arts, NoHo, Monica Film Center, and Playhouse.