Live Acts by Dead Ringers
Forget the Oscars. For the most unabashedly absurd awards night in Tinseltown, try the Reel Awards, a benefit spoof honoring the creme de la creme of celebrity impersonators.
In addition to red-carpet interviews with a Joan Rivers act-alike and 20 awards in categories such as “Best Actor or Actress in a Motion Picture/Television Role,†the festivities will include musical acts courtesy of “Elvis,†“Ricky Martin†and dozens of other, um, really fake celebs. There’s also an artistic vision. “Just for fun--how would Elvis Presley do rap today?†says Rob T. Allen, who is producing and directing the show, which was created by the agency International Celebrity Images. “Instead of just performing numbers from the past, I’m putting them into contemporary music.â€
For the record, the celebrity impersonator circuit ranges from casino acts to thespians such as Susan Griffiths, who played Marilyn Monroe in “Pulp Fiction†or Julie Sheppard’s one-woman portrayal of Judy Garland. Meet some of the talent here.
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The Reel Awards, March 20, Henry Fonda Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Red-carpet arrivals and cocktails, 6 p.m. Awards show, 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 to $250. For information, call (818) 343-9961 or visit www.thereelawards.com.