La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

14900 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California 90638 (714) 994-6150

 

 

 

                        Contacts:         Larry Aldrich/Sandy Smith                    Jeff Brown

                                               Aldrich & Associates, Inc.                    La Mirada Theatre

                                           larry@aldrichpr.com                              jbrown@lamiradatheatre.com

                                                (562) 436-5156                                    (714) 994-6150

 

 

EDDIE CARROLL IS JACK BENNY IN

"LAUGHTER IN BLOOM" AT LA MIRADA, APRIL 8

 

 

LA MIRADA, CA, March 24, 2005 -- Veteran stage and television actor Eddie Carroll brings his one-man show, "Jack Benny/Laughter in Bloom," to the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 8 p.m., April 8. It's a captivating evening of theater that has Jack Benny himself leading us on a fascinating tour of his rich and colorful life and illustrious career that spanned six decades...from vaudeville to films, Broadway, radio and television.

 

Carroll, who researched and penned the show, spent months preparing for the role and perfecting every facet and nuance of Benny's persona. "I didn't want to just imitate Benny or do an impression," says Carroll.  "My goal as an actor was to re-create Benny's honest reality and the true humanity of the man."

 

As one critic wrote, "Carroll doesn't just do Benny...He IS BENNY. Before your eyes he truly becomes the beloved comedian, capturing his endearing nature." Carroll's vivid portrayal of Benny's reality and humanity has placed him in the same company as Holbrook's "Mark Twain," Whitmore's "Will Rogers," and Robert Morse in "TRU".

 

Carroll's achievements in the entertainment field have spanned every area of show business - the Broadway stage, motion pictures, television, and movies of the week. Carroll's television career began with the MGM series "The Lieutenant," followed by a recurring role on the "Gomer Pyle Show."  A long list of television credits followed including such classic shows as "Mary Tyler Moore," "All in the Family," "Fantasy Island," "Life with Lucy," "Love American Style," plus recurring roles on the popular "Maude" and "Alice" series.  Carroll has also appeared with such luminaries as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Milton Berle and ironically Jack Benny on their television specials.  Numerous appearances on the famed "Hollywood Palace" show with Don Knotts led to co-starring with Don on a weekly NBC series.  His current TV credits continue with guest starring roles on "Frasier" and "Spy-TV."

 

On stage, Carroll has played leading roles in musicals, drama and comedy in more than two dozen theater productions from Los Angeles to New York, where he appeared in "Legends On Broadway." He also had the unique experience of breaking new ground in the theater, by playing two roles simultaneously. He portrayed Jack Benny playing the fastidious Felix Unger in a new adaptation of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple." An additional pursuit that gives him great personal satisfaction is working on projects for the Walt Disney Company as the voice of Jiminy Cricket.

 

"Jack Benny/Laughter in Bloom" tickets are $25, $35 and $45 and can be purchased online at www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue. Parking is free.

 

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For press seats please RSVP to sandy@aldrichpr.com