Tony Cox - Film

(C) 2016 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws

 Tony Cox - Film

Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

 www.twitter.com/rychmccain, LinkedIn and Facebook Rych McCain Superstar Interviewer (Like Me) 

Tony Cox

The Toast of Bad Santa 2!

    It is said that good things come in small packages and they also say it’s not the size of the person but the size of their heart. In the case of veteran actor Tony Cox both statements ring true and then some. He is small in size but his talent is gigantic. In person Cox is one of the nicest, down-to-earth persons one could ever hope to meet. He returns as thief and con man Marcus in Bad Santa 2. The first Bad Santa was such a smash hit domestically and worldwide that eventually they had to make a sequel. And make one they did indeed. The second Bad Santa is loaded with super talent. Besides Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton who reprises his role as Willie Soke, the cheap booze drinking, safe cracking fake Santa; they added Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy winner Kathy Bates as Willie’s butch, criminal, horror story of a mom Sunny Soke. Emmy nominated Cristina Hendricks who plays sexy Diane the charity director and Brett Kelly as Thurman Merman round out the main cast.

Oscar/Golden Globe/Emmy winning Kathy Bates as horrible momma Sunny Soke

Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton and Christina Hendricks

    

Tony Cox as conman/thief Marcus Skidmore

Cox is a seasoned veteran starring in close to 70 films grossing over 1 billion including Willow, Oz the Great And Powerful, Lord of The Rings, Friday, Me, Myself & Irene, Beetlejuice and Return of The Jedi to name some. It has been thirteen years (2003) since the original Bad Santa hit the screens. With such a huge amount of time between then and now, had anything changed and was it hard for Cox to get back into the role of Marcus. Cox smiles, “No, it was just like nothing had changed, it wasn’t like Brett because he was a kid. But for me it was the same and working with Billy, we just have that chemistry. I think it was the second day when I realized that it all came back. The first day I only had one word to say but that second day it was on. It was the restaurant scene and we just clicked.” 

    

Tony Cox

Since he was the main character that Billy Bob was bouncing off of, is this a chance to put Cox in a different light as a leading man? He ponders saying, “You always hope for that but it’s tuff for a little person. It’s like being a minority within a minority. They don’t write good roles for little people. When I saw Bad Santa (the original one) and saw those words and all of that profanity, I didn’t think the movie would be made. But at the same time I’m looking at what an opportunity. This movie could change my life in which it did. The first one (Bad Santa) wasn’t written for an African American. It was written for a Caucasian so I appreciate Billy for giving me that opportunity and the director Terry Zwigoff, he was the man. That was God.” Both men insisted that Cox fill the role and he got it. 

L-R Tony Cox, Kathy Bates and Billy Bob Thornton

 

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LadyLike Foundation Women of Excellence Scholarship Luncheon

(C) 2016 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws

 LadyLike Foundation Women of Excellence Scholarship Luncheon

Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

 www.twitter.com/rychmccain, LinkedIn and Facebook Rych McCain Superstar Interviewer (Like Me) 

The LadyLike Foundation Presents Their 8^th Annual

Women of Excellence Scholarship Luncheon

     

     The lobby of the elegant Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills was buzzing with lovely young girls dressed in their classy pink after five finery greeting arriving guest even though it was the 10 AM hour. The people had arrived to participate in The LadyLike Foundation’s 8^th Annual Women of Excellence Scholarship Luncheon. The festivities began with business execs, showbiz celebs and a host of V.I.P’s arriving to walk the red carpet where there they faced a lighting storm of camera flashes and mics aimed at them for press interviews. They then joined a pre-lunch wine reception mixer. 

    The purpose of the gala was to raise funds as well as honor a select pick of individuals for their unique achievements. Among honorees were five high school seniors who received college scholarships. They included:

Laura Williams

 Laura Williams (Redondo High); going to Southern University.

    

Francesca Walker

  




Francesca Walker (Harvard Westlake High); going to Columbia University.

Paola Gonzalez

 Paola Gonzalez (Manuel Arts High); going to Going to UCLA 

Alejandra Velasco

 Alejandra Velasco (Academics of Education and Empowerment at Carson Complex); going to UC Berkeley

Jasmine Delgado

 Jasmine Delgado (Granada Hills Charter); going to UC Irvine

Morgan Moore

  Morgan Moore (Westchester High): going to U of Wisconsin-Madison.

    







 Business professionals honored:  

Marilyn Booker

 Marilyn Booker, Managing Director, and The Urban Markets Group at Morgan Stanley. 

Tonya Winfield

 Tonya Winfield, Business Woman, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist.

Beth Moskowitz

 Beth Moskowitz, Executive Director, Sports Spectacular.

 Celebrities honored included: 

Kelly Roland

 

 Recording artist/actress Kelly Rowland 

Mel B

 Recording artist/TV personality Mel B. 

Holly Robinson Peete

 Actress Holly Robinson Peete served as the afternoon’s M.C.

 

Annalise and The Funky Ducks

     Music was by DJ Danno. Annalise and The Funky Ducks performed while designer Isabella Coutre and her models put on a fashion show. A video was shown by Brooklyn Johnson. And of course The LadyLike Foundation Founder/CEO Leah C. Pump close the show with a final address to the crowd.

LaydyLike Founder/CEO Leah C. Pump and daughter Spirit

The LadyLike Foundation’s mission is to educate, empower and inspire young girls from the inner city via cutting edge resource programs, workshops, mentorships and life lessons. They are challenged to reach their highest potential to become successful and refined. This event was magical from start to finish and everyone had a grand time. What was the afternoon like for the founder/CEO Mrs. Leah Pump? She is all smiles and exclaims, “It was absolutely amazing beyond my wildest dreams. All of the support and all of the people and all of the girls;.it was just great.”

2016 LadyLike Foundation Women of Excellence Scholarship Luncheon Honorees

    Pump gave a rousting testimony about how she took her vision for LadyLike from her head and heart and made it into reality. Now that it is real what can she say? She just says, “Wow! And God is so good, he’s amazing.” Pump explains some of the programs they go through. “They do etiquette classes. Every week at a middle school we have a whole curriculum on ladylike; loving themselves, loving others, being appropriate, striving for greatness, yearning to learn, then we have cooking classes, make-up classes and getting into college workshops. It’s a very well rounded program so we touch every area of their lives.”

                          © 2016 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

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Amazing Grace Conservatory Goodbye Birdie! - Musical

(C) 2016 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws

 Amazing Grace Conservatory goodbye Birdie! - Musical

Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

 www.twitter.com/rychmccain, LinkedIn and Facebook Rych McCain Superstar Interviewer (Like Me) 

The Amazing Grace Conservatory’s Musical

 “Goodbye Birdie!” Is A Smash Success!

       The Amazing Grace Conservatory presented their annual year end musical to conclude their spring, summer and fall training sessions. This year’s musical titled “Goodbye Birdie!” was a loving tribute to the music of the late artist Prince. The production included songs, dance routines, a video tribute to Prince and superb acting. The Musical was directed by Kimberly Bailey with Andrae Alexander serving as the musical director. Additional staff included Jahbrielle Henning, assistant director; Sha’Leah Stubblefied and Andrae Alexander, additional vocal arrangements. The show was beautifully choreographed by Andre Kinney, Chris Smith, Cassie Crump and Alfred Jackson. Stage lighting was handled by Moira MacDonald and Leslie Chew created the sound. Mylette Nora designed the costumes and Sheila Dorn did the make-up and hair design. Robertson Productions were the videographers for the event. The show was very professionally run and was a completely delightful experience for the sold out audience which rewarded it with a rousting standing ovation.

JeVonne Davis recipient of The 2016 TLC Scholarship

   The affair was held at the elegant Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. Some of the principal cast members included Selena Thurmond as (Rosie Alvarez); Caleb McGee as (Conrad Birdie); Keanye Posey as (Kim MacAfee) and Blacke Brewer as (Albert Peterson) and JeVonne Davis as (Mr. Harry MacAfee) who was also the night's recipient of The 2016 TLC Scholarship named after AGC's late co-founder Mr. Tracy Lamar Coley.

    

The many fine stage musicals produced by AGC

The Amazing Grace Conservatory was founded in 1996 by the late Mr. Tracy Lamar Coley and Mrs. Wendy Raquel Robinson affectionately called Ms. Wendy. out of love and concern for inner city youth and a desire to teach them the performing arts in an environment that is nurturing for their personal, artistic and professional growth. Some 500 students have come through the doors of AGC which offers the TLC college scholarship named after the late co-founder. Past recipients have attended Yale, Julliard, NYU-Tisch School of the Arts, Howard University, DePaul, Harvard and Carnegie Mellon.

  

AGC Co-Founder Mrs. Wendy Raquel Robinson

       When asked where do all of the students come from? Co-founder  Robinson responds, “They come from every walk of life. A lot of them are now alumni, their children, word of mouth; we really don’t do a lot of advertising. But it’s a program that pretty much sustains itself.” If a person wants to become part of this magnificent program what are the requirements? Robinson explains, “Basically having an open heart and an open mind and be ready to come and work and have a wonderful work ethic. We do have an interview process but it’s not to intimidate anybody but it’s just to make sure it’s something that the child wants and not the parents.”  

Ms. Wendy and the cast of Goodbye Birdie!

      What kind of children are they looking for? Robinson says, “Just those that are dedicated to the craft. Like the young lady said when she first came, she didn’t want to be at AGC but she was open to the possibility and now she is one of the most phenomenal students that we have, they just have to be open to the possibility.” Indeed Robinson has had many students come through her and foresees many more to come.  

Yummy Birdie cake that was devoured at the after receptton

© 2016 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)!