Photo Flash: Opening Night at SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON LA Premiere

Last night, February 15, 2013, the opening night of the SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON World Premiere, directed by Pat Towne, welcomed a slew of celebrity guests and more to the Hayworth Theatre. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening curtain call and celebrations below!

In attendance were Billy Bob Thornton, Stephen Furst (Flounder in "Animal House"), Judy Belushi Pisano, Fred Willard, Martha Smith (Babs" in Animal House"), Gene Shue - Coach of the Year, All American NBA Star, Mayor Richard Riordan - former Mayor of LA, John Rappaport - (Producer MASH), Ben Starr (Writer: "All in the Family," "Mister Ed"), Gary Owens ("Laugh In"), Kato Kaelin (Talk Show Host), Stan Lee, Dana Baron (Audrey in "Vacation"), Anthony Michael Hall Rusty in "Vacation"), Dot Marie Jones ("Glee"), Amy Heckerling, Dede Harris (Tony-Winning Broadway producer), Susanne Preissler, Xavier Koller - Academy Award winning director, John Pitak- President of Arsenal Films and more.

The World Premiere of SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON, conceived and produced by Matty Simmons, with original songs by Richard Levinson, will run through Sunday, March 17 at the Hayworth Theatre, 2511 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles.

SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON, is National Lampoon's first live stage production in over 25 years. Featuring the most hilarious and classic monologues, sketches, songs and other humor derived from the best known comedy company in entertainment history and written by more than thirty Lampoon magazine, radio and theatrical writers including Michael O'Donoghue, Doug Kenney, John Hughes, and PJ O'Rourke.

SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON will take an irreverent look back at the best of the best in Lampoon history and will feature 6 original songs written for this production. The show is being produced by National Lampoon founder Matty Simmons, who created, not only the humor magazine, but also the radio shows, albums, theatre and such films as "National Lampoon's Animal House" and "Vacation" series. The show is also being co-produced along with the new President of the National Lampoon Alan Donnes, CEO Jerry Daigle and Patti Browne.

The list of writers, actors, directors and editors who worked for the Lampoon would take more space than available here and then we'd accidentally leave some out so we will, with apologies to those unintentionally left out, list some.

The original editors of the Lampoon were Doug Kenny and Henry Beard. They were soon joined by Michael O'Donahue, George Trow, TEd Mann, Tony Hendra, Brian McConnachie, Anne Beatts, P.J. O'Rourke, John Hughes, Terry Southern, Dave Hanson, Jerry Sussman and many others. Later, came Al Jean, Michael Reiss, Andy Simmons, Larry Sloman, Michael Simmons, Larry David, etc., etc.

Introduced in various Lampoon entertainment projects were: John Belushi, Christopher Guest, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Brian Doyle Murray, Gilda Radner, Meatloaf, Richard Belzer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tom Hulce, Karen Allen, Peter Riegert, Stephen Furst, Martha Smith, Dana Baron, Anthony Michael Hall, Harold Ramis and many others. Diane Lane was 14 when she appeared in a National Lampoon film. The aforementioned Michelle Pfeiffer made her first appearance as an actress on a Lampoon TV show.

The Lampoon was created in 1970. Its founder and CEO was Matty Simmons, who has produced "Sketches." He ran the company for more than 20 years, selling control in 1990. In the two decades that followed, the magazine closed but a number of films were produced under the Lampoon banner, including van Wilder. Now, new management, under the supervision of Jerry Daigle, CEO and Alan Donnes, President, there has been a Renaissance. A full-length documentary on the Lampoon will be in theaters sometime this year and films and other projects are in the works.

The cast of SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON includes: Henry Ditman, Jesse Merlin, David Haverty Erin Matthews, CJ Merriman, Darrin Revitz and Pat Towne,

The Set, Costume and Prop Design is by Tifanie McQueen (Endgame -Ovation Nomination, Forbidden Zone). The Lighting Design is by Cricket Sloat. The Sound Design is by Jaime Robledo (Louis and Keely Live at the Sahara, Stoneface). The Stage Manager is Brenda Goldstein.

Tickets are $30. Previews are $25. Pay parking lot - $6, right next door to the theatre. Free parking on Wilshire Blvd., Coronado St., and Carondelet St. For tickets, visit www.brownpapertickets.com or call 323-337-1546. For additional information, visit www.nationallampoon.com.

Photo Credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

Alan Donnes, President National Lampoon honors Producer Matty Simmons during the curtain call.

Alan Donnes, President National Lampoon

Producer Matty Simmons is honored at the curtain call.

Producer Matty Simmons

Alan Donnes, President National Lampoon

Cast members Pat Towne, Henry Dittman, John Milhiser, Cj Merriman, Jesse Merlin, Erin Matthews, David Haverty and Darrin Revitz take their bow during the curtain call.

Cast members Pat Towne, Henry Dittman, John Milhiser, Cj Merriman, Jesse Merlin, Erin Matthews, David Haverty and Darrin Revitz

The full cast: John Milhiser, Darrin Revitz, Henry Dittman, Richard Levinson, Erin Matthews, Pat Towne, Jesse Merlin, David Haverty and Cj Merriman

Director Pat Towne and Musical Director/Song Writer Richard Levinson

Cast member John Milhiser, Alan Donnes, President National Lampoon and cast member Henry Dittman

Cast members John Milhiser and Henry Dittman

Cast members Darrin Revitz and John Milhiser

Cast members Darrin Revitz and Erin Matthews

Cast members Darrin Revitz and Erin Matthews

Cast members John Milhiser, Cj Merriman and Director Pat Towne

Cast member David Haverty signs a poster

Judy Belushi Pisano and Bill Belushi

Co-Producer Patti Browne, Judy Belushi Pisano, Producer Matty Simmons, Bill Belushi and actress Dana Baron

Dot Marie Jones and Bridgett Casteen

Actress Martha Smith and Producer Matty Simmons

Amy Heckerling and Producer Matty Simmons

Director Pat Towne, Producer Matty Simmons and Musical Director/Song Writer Richard Levinson

Gene Shue, All American NBA Star and Producer Matty Simmons


Alan Donnes, President National Lampoon and Producer Matty Simmons

Bridgett Casteen, Dot Marie Jones and Producer Matty Simmons

Actress Dana Baron and Producer Matty Simmons