The holidays will be different this year, but different doesn’t have to mean dull! Ed Asner joins a star-studded team of actors for a one-night-only virtual celebrity table read of the 1946 holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” to raise money for The Ed Asner Family Center, dedicated to promoting mental health and enrichment programs to special needs children and their families.
WHO: Hosted by Tom Bergeron, this one-night-only, live event features a cavalcade of stars including Pete Davidson, Maude Apatow, Ellie Kemper, Carol Kane, Ed Asner, BD Wong, Richard Kind, Mia Farrow, Ed Begley Jr., Diedrich Bader, Vanessa and Chris Williams and six autistic performers from programs at The Center. Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu in the original film, is a special guest, among other surprises.
Jeffrey Frost, President of Sony Pictures Television Studios, will receive a special honor presented by Norman Lear.
WHEN: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 | 5:00 PM (PT), 7:00 PM (CT), 8:00 PM (ET)
WHERE: For Tickets: edasnerfamilycenter.org Zoom (Link Provided Upon Registration)
DETAILS: Ed Asner (eight-time Emmy®-winning actor affectionately known as Lou Grant and UP’s Carl Fredricksen) joins a star-studded team of actors- including Pete Davidson (Saturday Night Live, The King of Staten Island), Maude Apatow (Euphoria, Hollywood, The King of Staten Island), Mia Farrow (Rosemary’s Baby, Hannah and Her Sisters), Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Office), Carol Kane (Taxi, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Ed Begley Jr. (Ghostbusters, Pineapple Express), Diedrich Bader (Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous, Napoleon Dynamite), Bill Pullman (Independence Day), Richard Kind (Inside Out), BD Wong (Jurassic Park, Mr. Robot), Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty, Shaft) and Chris Williams (The Great Indoors) – for a one-night-only live virtual celebrity table read of the 1946 holiday classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” on Sunday, December 13, 2020, 5:00 PM (PT), 7:00 PM (CT) and 8:00 PM (ET). Proceeds of this special holiday event will benefit The Ed Asner Family Center, dedicated to promoting mental health and enrichment programs to special needs children and their families. Tickets available at: www.edasnerfamilycenter.org.
The re-imagined virtual annual gala will also honor Jeffrey Frost, President of Sony Pictures Television Studos. Emmyâ-winning producer Norman Lear will present the accolade to Frost, a champion of an inclusive Hollywood and ardent supporter of individuals with special needs. Hosted by Tom Bergeron, the table read will be directed by Victor Nelli.
Tickets to “It’s a Wonderful Life” Gala Table Read and special commemorative gift boxes with holiday surprises are perfect presents for friends and family, given in the holiday spirit. Guests will also enjoy a unique silent auction providing additional holiday gift opportunities including commemorative film items, gift baskets, trips, sports opportunities and presents for loved ones.
The Ed Asner Family Center was created and founded by Matthew Asner and Navah Paskowitz-Asner. Longtime advocates for those with special needs and on the autism spectrum, the Asners personally understand the challenges that differently “abled” families face, and have transformed the healing power of a creative, loving environment into the new The Ed Asner Family Center. All proceeds will benefit the center’s programs including virtual and in-person camps, arts, and vocational enrichments for special needs individuals and their families, as well as in-person and telehealth counseling and support groups.
About THE ED ASNER FAMILY CENTER
In the United States, about 1 in 6 (17%) children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability.- CDC
The Ed Asner Family Center is a non-profit founded by Navah and Matt Asner, whose mission is to help thosewith special needs and their families seeking wholeness in all facets of life. The Center not only caters to the needs of the special individual, but aims to embrace the complete family, helping them meet the challenges they face with grace and support, as well as providing the tools to promote confidence, dignity and pride. Enrichment offered includes art, yoga, music and career advancement programs, counseling and mindfulness classes.
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/edasnerfamilycenter/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/edasnercenter/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/edasnerfamilycenter/
- Website: edasnerfamilycenter.org
