News & Press

Oct 22, 2011

DANVILLE, KY— On Saturday, October 22 Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts will host Academy Award® and nine-time Emmy® Award winner Cloris Leachman in Cloris! A One Woman Show. 

Cloris Leachman is a celebrated American actress of stage, film and television.  Best known for playing the nosy, self-centered and manipulative landlady, Phyllis Lindstrom, on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and later on the spin-off series “Phyllis,” she has won nine Emmy® Awards – more than any other female performer in the history of the award – including one Daytime Emmy® Award, a Golden Globe®, a BAFTA and numerous other accolades. She also earned an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actress in 1971 for her role as Ruth Popper in The Last Picture Show.  Most recently, she was nominated for an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on the FOX network hit show “Raising Hope.”

”It is hard not to be star-struck by Cloris Leachman,” said Norton Center Executive Director, Steve Hoffman.  “She has a long history of working with legendary film-makers and actors and she might be the funniest woman on the planet, if not the bawdiest.  Her one-woman show provides all the humor for which she is best known plus adds elements of her own human condition - which makes the evening intimate.”

Anyone who gets a kick out of showbiz tales will find legend Cloris Leachman’s one-woman show heartfelt, hysterical, and no holds barred. Set in a homey living room, with an overstuffed couch, piles of pillows, potted plants and a grand piano, Cloris regales her audience with stories of the hilarious events, personal secrets and intimate relationships of her life and career.  Written and directed by her son George Englund Jr., the show reveals details of Leachman’s childhood in Iowa, her time at Northwestern University, her start in showbiz as Nellie Forbush in “South Pacific” and her achievements and revelations in the sixty years since.

Leachman aficionados will love the iconic actress’s take on her most memorable career moments, including The Last Picture Show, behind-the-scene tidbits on the Mel Brooks classics Young Frankenstein, History of the World, Part I and High Anxiety and of course, her vast portfolio of television performances.  Cloris! A One Woman Show includes a number of heartwarming and hilarious personal anecdotes, a short engagement with the grand piano, and the actresses’ unique philosophies on life. In her own words, “I share with the audience the moment I made up my mind to make something special of my life.”

Leachman’s additional film credits include American Cowslip, Ponyo, Inglorious Basterds, New York, I Love You, Expecting Mary and the upcoming The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure and The Fields. She became popular in recent years for her recurring role on the hit FOX series “Malcolm in the Middle” and appearances on “The Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget,” “Love Takes Wings,” “The Office,” “Phineas and Ferb” and “HawthoRNe.”
 
The 85-year-old Leachman competed on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2008 and served as Grand Marshal of the 2009 New Year’s Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, CA, where she presided over the 120th annual parade and the 95th Rose Bowl football game. In March 2010, Leachman became a published author with the release of her bestselling memoir, Cloris: My Autobiography.
 
Cloris! A One Woman Show begins at 8:00 PM.  Tickets, ranging from $23-$45, are on sale now and can be purchased on the web at www.NortonCenter.com or by calling the box office at 1-877-HIT-SHOW.

This performance is for mature audiences and may contain strong language.
Media support has been provided by 96.9 KISS FM.