For The Almanac

writer@thealmanac.net

The glamour of Hollywood comes to the South Hills of Pittsburgh as the Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation presents a sneak preview of "Shannon's Rainbow," a movie written, produced, and filmed in Pittsburgh.

The preview takes place on Saturday, March 21 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe, and according to Jonathan Rosenson, a member of the board of the Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation, with all the celebrities scheduled to attend it could be a red carpet event.

The cast includes some of Hollywood's top stars, including Claire Forlani, Jason Gedrick, Lou Gossett, Jr., Eric Roberts, Stephen Colletti, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, Tom Atkins, Steve Guttenberg, Krista Allen, Charles Durning, and actress Julianne Michelle, who plays "Shannon". Directed by Frank E. Johnson, the film's executive producer is Joycelynn Engle.

Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation chose to host the film premiere as a fundraiser, Rosenson said and that Marcus grew up around horses, since his parents, Lou and Carol Ruscitto of Peters Township, have a horse farm. Rosenson added that the event provides the foundation with the opportunity to introduce a different set of people to the foundation and its mission.

The foundation invests in a broad range of educational, charitable and research endeavors that reflect Marc's wide ranging interests, from scholarship assistance for promising young people and support services for aspiring entrepreneurs, to investments in charities and community programs.

Rosenson said that while their foundation has held golf outing fundraisers before, hosting a movie gala was something new and exciting, with a lot of different variables to consider. For example, because the film was shot in high definition, special equipment is needed to show the film. Arrangements also needed to be made to show the film in a theater type atmosphere.

Arranging for guests from Hollywood is another new variable for Rosenson. Many cast members plan to attend the preview, and the guest list of celebrities keeps growing and changing as buzz about the film grows.

Rosenson said Mowood, Richert, and Marty Schiff, an active member of Pittsburgh's film industry, have worked hard to help ensure the success of the event, from planning and promotion and getting access to the film to host the preview, to getting cast members to attend.

The evening's activities start at 5 with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a Silent/Chinese auction, followed by dinner at 6. The showing of "Shannon's Rainbow" begins at 7:30 p.m., and the evening concludes with a dessert reception at 9.

Rosenson said they have sold a lot of sponsorships to the event, but there are still tickets available. To purchase, contact, Shirley Zafris by e-mail at szafris@al-cm.com or at 724-925-2034. For more information, visit the foundation Web site at www.marcusruscittofoundation.org.