'Captain Show Biz' Benefit Reading with Bruce Vilanch & Friends
One night, one very good cause. With Marilu Henner, Sally Struthers, Grant Show, Jai Rodriguez, Alec Mapa, Garrett Clayton, Sharon McNight, Jason Michael Snow, and Jason Ritter! On Thursday, August 20th, comedy legend Bruce Vilanch takes the stage at Hollywood's historic Harmony Gold Preview House for a benefit reading of CAPTAIN SHOW BIZ — his brand-new play about the year he started writing the Oscars. And he's not just the playwright. He's playing the lead. Vilanch spent a quarter-century putting words in Hollywood's mouth. CAPTAIN SHOW BIZ is his gloriously fictionalized account of where it all began: his chaotic, hilarious first ceremony in 1989. He test-drove the play this January in front of a sold-out crowd in Wilton Manors, Florida — and walked away certain of one thing: this show's true home is Los Angeles, the only audience guaranteed to catch every inside-Hollywood joke. Consider this the homecoming. Celebration Theatre is honored to present this West Coast Premiere sneak peek, and Bruce won't be taking the stage alone. Joining him is a genuinely staggering roster of screen and stage talent: five-time Golden Globe nominee Marilu Henner (Taxi, Evening Shade, Broadway's Chicago); two-time Emmy winner Sally Struthers (All in the Family, Gilmore Girls); Grant Show, the primetime icon of Melrose Place and Dynasty; Emmy nominee Jason Ritter (Parenthood, Gravity Falls, Matlock); Emmy winner and original Queer Eye "Fab Five" star Jai Rodriguez (Broadway's Rent, Bros); Ugly Betty scene-stealer and acclaimed comedian Alec Mapa; Garrett Clayton (King Cobra, Hairspray Live!); Tony nominee Sharon McNight (Broadway's Starmites); and original Book of Mormon cast member Jason Michael Snow. Trust us: you'll want to be in the room. The evening is directed by award-winning filmmaker Nell Teare (Bolivar). And the setting couldn't be more fitting: Harmony Gold is the screening room where the industry has previewed its biggest titles for decades. The perfect house for a night about the man behind the biggest show in town. Every dollar raised goes directly toward Celebration's 44th season — including the full 2026/27 lineup we'll unveil this summer.
Date and Time
Thursday Aug 20, 2026
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM PDT
Thursday, August 20, 2026 8pm Curtain
Location
Harmony Gold Preview House 7655 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Fees/Admission
$50+ tickets benefit Celebration Theatre's LGBTQ+ Arts mission.
Contact Information
Christopher Maikish
Producing Artistic Director
Celebration Theatre
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