Tag Archives: Tom Hanks

Ben Piazza focus of Old State House Brown Bag program

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piazza“Ben Piazza: Becoming the American Dream” is the title of a discussion at the Old State House today at 12 noon.

Piazza was a Little Rock native who starred on Broadway as well as appeared in movies and TV from the 1950s through the 1990s. Throughout his career he acted with Gary Cooper, Tom Hanks, Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Cher, Dan Akroyd, John Belushi and Walter Matthau among others.   Ben was also a friend of playwright Edward Albee and appeared in many of his plays throughout the 1960s, including The American Dream and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

During his career Ben saw seismic shifts in the acting profession.  He experienced the theatrical, TV and movie industries turned on their heads because of radical changes which few could have foreseen.

This discussion looks at Ben Piazza’s life and career as Broadway and Hollywood underwent drastic changes in the second half of the 20th Century.  It also discusses his career as a writer – most notably the novel The Exact and Very Strange Truth and the Off Broadway play Lime Green/Khaki Blue.

The program is being held in conjunction with the Old State House Museum’s exhibit Lights! Camera! ARKANSAS!

 

 

Movies in the Park: BIG

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215px-Big_PosterMovies in the Park has a big night tonight.  The feature is the 1988 film Big.  A quarter of a century after it was first released, this film still is hilarious and heartwarming.

Tom Hanks’s star turn cemented his status as a Hollywood leading man.  The film also firmly established Penny Marshall as a feature film director.

Joining Hanks in the cast are Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard, Jon Lovitz, Mercedes Ruehl, David Moscow and Jared Rushton.   The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Hanks received his first ever Best Actor Oscar nomination and screenwriters Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg were nominated for Original Screenplay.

Movies in the Park is a free outdoor movie series in Little Rock’s River Market. They take place at the First Security Amphitheatre. The mission of Movies in the Park is help foster a sense of community and enjoyment in downtown Little Rock and throughout Central Arkansas by bringing people together to enjoy a movie in a unique setting along the scenic banks of the Arkansas River.

Movies start at dark. Visitors are welcome to bring picnics but please no glass containers and pick up afterwards. Those choosing not to bring their own picnic, the park does have concessions available for sale.

Bring bug spray, picnic and family and have a good time!

The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau Technical Services department provides all the equipment for the movies.