A Night at Sardi’s Raises Alzheimer’s Awareness

Steven Weber's Sarah Palin parody was a hit at Sardi's.

While star-studded galas are an everyday event in Hollywood, the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Night at Sardi’s benefit is something special: Celebs don’t just donate their time and money, they literally sing for their supper. This year, the fundraiser’s 18th, was a tribute to the music of Kander and Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret), and featured some spectacular performances.

We especially loved Eric McCormack’s show-opening “Wilkommen”/”Two Ladies,” Cold Case star Tracie Thoms’ lovely version of “Maybe This Time,” and Steven Weber’s pitch-perfect rendition of “Class” — performed in drag as Sarah Palin!

Former Dancing With the Stars co-host Samantha Harris, who starred in Chicago on Broadway last summer, nailed her “All That Jazz”/”Roxie” number despite the laryngitis that made her skip the red-carpet interviews. “I wanted to save my voice,” she told us when we ran into her and her mom in the ladies’ room pre-show.

The fundraiser, which Laurie Burrows Grad established in honor of her late father, writer-director Abe Burrows, had many emotional moments, including Demi Moore’s presentation of the Caregiver Award to BFF Soleil Moon Frye, who lost her father to Alzheimer’s. “For many years it really tore our family apart,” the one-time Punky Brewster star confided. Director Garry Marshall and his sister Ronny gave a touching and funny tribute to their late mother as they accepted the Champions Award in her honor at the event, which raised $1.1 million for Alzheimer’s research and care.

Longtime participant David Hyde Pierce, whose grandfather had Alzheimer’s, observed the importance of the organization’s efforts: “People need to be aware of Alzheimer’s because it’s in their future.” He noted that 10 percent of people over 65 have it and 50 percent of those over 85 do. “You’ll either get it or take care of someone who does. For people who are suffering with this and don’t know where to turn, the Alzheimer’s Association is the greatest resource.”

The event has inspired us to be vigilant about keeping up with the latest in cognitive research and interventions, including the Cognitive Fitness and Innovative Therapies (CFIT) program launched in Santa Barbara, CA. What do you do to stay intellectually fit?

Tags: Abe Burrows, All That Jazz, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer’s Association, Biology, California, Chicago, Cold case, Dancing with the Stars, David Hyde Pierce, Demi Moore, director, Entertainment/Culture, Eric McCormack, fundraiser, Garry Marshall, Human Interest, Laurie Burrows Grad, Maybe This Time, Neurological disorders, Punky Brewster, Ronny, Samantha Harris, Santa Barbara, Sarah Palin, Soleil Moon Frye, Steven Weber, Tracie Thoms, USD, writer-director