Jason Sudeikis and Rosario Dawson are set to lead a stunning ensemble cast in a virtual table read of the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life to benefit The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC).
Along with Sudeikis and Dawson, the cast includes Mark Hamill, Martin Sheen, Mandy Patinkin, George Wendt, Lou Diamond Phillips, Phil Lamarr, Ben Mankiewicz, Ron Funches, Ed Harris, and more. Sudeikis and his real-life uncle, Wendt, are set to play George Bailey and Uncle Billy in this year’s event.
In addition to the Ed Asner tribute, the event will honor Mike Darnell, President of Unscripted and Alternative Television at Warner Brothers, along with his family. The cast will include Mike’s daughter and Social Director of TEAFC, Chelsea Darnell, autistic actors Spencer Harte and Domonique Brown (TV’s Atypical) along with neurodivergent TEAFC members Ryan Booth and Lucas Salusky. Victor Nelli (TV’s Superstore, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) will return to direct.
For one night only on Sunday, December 5, you can experience this one-of-a-kind event benefiting The Ed Asner Family Center, which promotes mental health and enrichment programs to children with special needs and their families. Tickets range from $25-$149 and are available now. All proceeds from the event will benefit the organization.
“My father’s passing has left an indescribable hole in my heart. For our annual fundraising gala this year, I want to honor my father’s legacy as both a legendary actor and a staunch advocate for people of all abilities. I would like to thank Turner Classic Movies for partnering to support our effort to raise much needed funds for special needs families and I am eternally grateful for the support shown by our amazing cast. I would also like to thank MeTV for their generous sponsorship of this event,” says Matt Asner, son of Ed Asner & Co-Founder of The Ed Asner Family Center.
Along with the table read, the event will feature commemorative holiday gift collections for purchase, including custom artwork and a limited edition T-shirt, all created specifically for this event. In addition, the collection will include The Official Bailey Family Cookbook with recipes inspired by It’s A Wonderful Life and a 75th Anniversary Blu-ray of the film. The event will feature an incredible silent auction with items perfect for the holiday season and a spectacular musical intermission.
“As the parents of autistic children, Matt and I saw a desperate need to create a safe and welcoming community for Special Needs families,” explains Navah Asner, Co-Founder, The Ed Asner Family Center. “The Center provides arts and vocational enrichment and critical mental health services to these individuals and their families, creating a unique space to learn, interact and thrive. My dear friends, the Darnell Family, are an extremely important part of our overall community and the Center. We are thrilled to be honoring them this year for their commitment and advocacy.”
