The wonderful character actor Alan Blumenfeld, who has starred in more than 300 films and television shows calls Culver City home.
Alan moved to the city with his wife Katherine James, also a professional actor, and their two sons Jordan and Nathan, in 1985. He cannot say enough about how much he and his family love Culver City—especially its recent transformation into a world-renowned arts district.
Blumenfeld began his prolific acting career at the age of 8—with the blessing of both his parents. They would send him to Camp Starlight—an incredible summer theatrical arts program.
Located near Hancock, New York, the young Blumenfeld would leave his Long Island home for the summers.
The camp-goers would put on elaborate productions—from musicals to the classics. From that moment, Alan was hooked.
While attending South Side High School in Long Island, Alan became fully committed to the life of a performer.
He was given his big break in the high school production simply because his teacher said that he reminded her of Blumenfeld’s father.
“I knew that even then, that as long as you’re casting me, the reason is immaterial.” Blumenfeld said with a twinkle in his eye and a gentle chuckle.
Blumenfeld has worked non-stop on top television shows like “Law & Order”, “The Golden Girls” and “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper”. For those TV trivia buffs, Blumenfield played actor Greg Grunberg’s father in both hit series “Felicity” and “Heroes.”
In addition to his prolific and on going career as an actor he is also a teacher. Blumenfeld has been teaching various levels of theatre, film, and television acting for the past eight years at Pomona College—he loves it.
He firmly believes that actors and artists must always be working—by that he means exercising their talents. And that is exactly what he does.
Blumenfeld likes to perform in two to four plays a year. His youthful demeanor and looks make him seem many years younger than his current age of 60. He is a living example that the fountain of youth is doing what you love for a living.
Currently, Blumenfeld is starring in a powerful and provocative play titled, “Cherry Docs” running at Theatricum Botanicum now thru Oct. 13, as a Jewish public defender assigned to defend a Nazi skinhead accused of murder.
The play begins with Neo–Nazi skinhead Mike Downey (played by actor Andrew Walker, reprising his award-winning role from the 2006 film version) being charged with murder, and Legal Aid has assigned Jewish lawyer Danny Dunkelman (Alan Blumenfeld) to the case.
Over the course of developing a defense, Danny is forced to examine the limits of his own liberalism and the demons underlying it.
Daring audiences to examine their capacity for compassion, “Cherry Docs” offers an unblinking examination of hatred, the explosive effect it has on our society, and the hurdles that confront us as we try to eradicate it.
A panel discussion will follow each performance.
The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley.
The outdoor amphitheater at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is terraced into the hillside of the rustic canyon. Audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating. Snacks are available at the Hamlet Hut, and picnickers are welcome before and after the performance.
Performances of “Cherry Docs” take place on Thursdays, Sept. 13, 20 and 27, and Saturdays, October 6 and 13. All performances begin at 8 pm. Tickets are $20. To purchase tickets and for information, call 310-455-3723 or visit online at www.theatricum.com.
