Presented in association with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and Santa Monica Puppetry Center

French actress and dancer Leslie Caron began her career as a ballerina before Gene Kelly discovered her and danced opposite her in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS in 1951. Caron followed that auspicious debut with a series of beloved musicals that include DADDY LONG LEGS, LILI, and GIGI, and she tackled more serious roles in films such as THE L-SHAPED ROOM, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. In the decades following her stint as an MGM leading lady, Caron has never ceased working, giving stellar turns in European art house films (DAMAGE, VALENTINO) and contemporary comedies like FUNNY BONES and LE DIVORCE. In 2007, continuing her string of acclaimed performances, she received an Emmy for her guest appearance on LAW AND ORDER: SVU.

Saturday, October 11 – 7:30 PM

Live Puppet Show! A CELEBRATION OF PUPPETRY (approx. 90 min) Star Mallory Lewis has continued to give life to hand puppet Lambchop, made popular by her late mother, famed children’s television entertainer Shari Lewis. Mallory will be joined by three marionette legends: Bob Baker, Tony Urbano and Rene Zendejas. Special highlights will include Leslie Caron, star of LILI and an audience sing-along of the Academy Award-winning "Hi Lili, Hi Lo." The original puppets from the film also will be part of this rare evening. The inaugural Santa Monica Puppetry Festival is a weeklong festival including shows for children, a tribute to the late Paul Winchell, a puppet exhibit and performances by ventriloquist Dan Horn and Phillip Huber, the master marionette artist, whose work was featured in the 1999 film BEING JOHN MALKOVICH.  Ticket Prices: General $45, Student/Senior $43, Members $40.