LAMORINDA WEEKLY | SMC alum brings Hollywood to Rheem Theatre | St. Mary's College | SMC Moraga


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Saint Mary's College alumnus, actor Mahershala Ali, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in the 2017 Academy Award Best Picture winner, "Moonlight," is returning to Moraga to promote his new film, "Green Book," which is based on a true story.

In "Green Book" Ali portrays a jazz pianist on a concert tour of the Deep South during the 1960s. With his white chauffer, played by Viggo Mortensen, they use the Green Book as a guide for motels and restaurants that welcomed blacks.

A special advance screening of "Green Book" will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Rheem Theatre, with the proceeds benefiting the Moonlight Scholarship (established in 2017 with inspiration from Ali) for students in the SMC High Potential Program.

The High Potential Program's mission is to provide access to higher education for underrepresented students. It seeks to foster success for first generation and/or low-income scholars transitioning from high school to college.

The Moonlight Scholarship is funded through private donations and provides financial support for students in the HP program. To date, 17 scholars have benefited from this foundation.

The movie will begin at 5:30 p.m., and a conversation with Ali, Director Peter Farrelly, and Producer Jim Burke will immediately follow the screening.

To RSVP for the Green Book Special Advanced Screening, visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/greenbook.