Boulder JFS Presents Reel Hope Boulder: Behind the Screen with Bruce Vilanch

Boulder Jewish Family Service (JFS) will host its fifth annual fundraiser, “Reel Hope Boulder” on Saturday, October 14 at the Boulder JCC, 6007 Oreg Avenue. Guests will enjoy an entertaining evening with award-winning writer, comedian, songwriter, and actor Bruce Vilanch. Ron Bostwick, a freelance event producer and announcer, will interview Vilanch to showcase a “behind-the-screen” account of Bruce’s storied decades-long career. Bostwick has interviewed numerous celebrities at the Boulder International Film Festival, as well as featured speakers at three Reel Hope Boulder events.The evening’s schedule will be:

6:30 p.m.:  Sponsor reception with Bruce Vilanch for all sponsors

7:00 p.m.:  Wine and beer reception with substantial hors d’oeuvres

8:00 p.m.:  Program

Sponsorships starting at $540 are available now. Tickets are $90 and go on sale August 28. All proceeds support the life-transforming work of Boulder JFS. For tickets, sponsorships, and more information, visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/reelhopeboulder or contact Bonni Raderman at 720.749.3404.

 About Bruce Vilanch

With his unmistakable presence—characterized by a big-girl figure, oversized red glasses, a shaggy blonde mane, and usually a hilarious T-shirt—Bruce Vilanch has been one of Hollywood’s most colorful characters for decades. His campy presence and outrageous apparel only heighten his broad appeal.

He’s known to many as an onscreen character actor and comedian, but Vilanch achieved his biggest successes as a writer for stand-up comics such as Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, Lily Tomlin, and Rosanne Barr. For many years, he was the go-to comic for stand-up sets and a first-choice writer for events, including the Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony telecasts.

A native of Paterson, New Jersey, Vilanch attended Ohio State University as a theater and journalism major. After graduation, he moved into show business professionally, with comic roles in features such as the 1975 Mahogany (as a fashion designer), the 1984 Ice Pirates, the 1986 thriller The Morning After, and the 2008 Adam Sandler comedy You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. On the side, Vilanch did frequent uncredited rewrites of Hollywood features and enjoyed a lengthy and productive tenure as a writer of features for the Chicago Tribune. Vilanch’s professional mainstay, however, remains comedy writing. He was the subject of the all-star 1999 documentary Get Bruce! and played an unforgettable Edna Turnblad in the long-running Broadway musical Hairspray.

About Jewish Family Service of Colorado

Founded in 1872, Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS believes in strengthening our community by providing vital services to people in need. Every day, JFS helps people overcome difficult life’s challenges to live fuller, more meaningful lives.

Boulder JFS is a division of Jewish Family Service that provides older adults and adults with disabilities, their families, and individuals in crisis with services to enhance their quality of life. Boulder JFS provides a wide array of services to help older adults and adults with disabilities live independently and maintain a high quality of life. We work to ensure that older adults in the Boulder community are well cared for—and not alone. For more information, call 303.415.1025 or visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/boulder. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!