“Ed Asner Day” coming to Rio Theater in Monte Rio
The celebratory event Saturday October 16 is dedicated to honoring the late, lovable and legendary actor/philanthropist who helped save the historic Rio Theater in Sonoma County.
Activities will include a double-feature film screening, an award ceremony and a storytelling session. David Lockhart, Producer of Senior Entourage, will present a special award describing how and why Ed Asner Day was inspired. Ed’s daughter, Liza Asner, will accept his posthumous award on behalf of her father. Senior Entourage Director, Brian Connors, will share memories of working with the late star.
When he learned that the Rio Theater might get turned into a parking lot or a potential swap meet, Ed Asner - winner of 8 Emmy Awards & 5 Golden Globes - drove nine hours from Hollywood to Monte Rio to lend his support. In December of 2020, approximately nine months before he passed away at the age of 91, Ed participated in a promotional video and documentary designed to raise funds and awareness to preserve the historic theater. Similar to his character ‘Santa Clause’ in his Christmas classic Elf, Mr. Asner again helped save the day.
New owners David & Kim Lockhart partnered with Bryan Gallinger, Dan Jahns and Paul DuBray to raise enough funds to purchase the Rio Theater in August of 2021. This powerhouse team has developed ambitious strategies for the multipurpose property to include hosting a wide variety of indoor/outdoor events showcasing film, arts, entertainment, weddings, live music, and humanitarian outreach — all through a community-focused vision. These new partners are committed to producing family-friendly events like Ed Asner Day that bring Russian River Valley communities together with like-hearted passions for arts, entertainment and humanity.
Senior Entourage (released in 2021), directed by Brian Connors and starring Ed Asner, Helen Reddy, Charlie Robinson, Marion Ross, and Mark Rydell, is a mockumentary comedy and was one of Ed’s last films. The feature-length film will be screened at 3 PM at Monte Rio Community Center at 20488 CA-116, Monte Rio, CA 95462.
UP (released in 2009), starring Ed Asner and Produced by Pixar Studios & Walt Disney Pictures, won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. UP will be screened at 6:30 p.m. outside on the lawn of the Monte Rio Theater located at 20396 Bohemian Highway, Monte Rio, CA, 95946.
Guests are encouraged to dress warm, bring hot chocolate and blankets.
Tickets for this event and information on the Monte Rio Theater & Extravaganza are available at www.monteriotheater.com/.
For media inquiries, please contact Bryan at info@goatcg.com or (949) 438-3351.
