Heaven is a library — in the mind of Neil Gaiman, at least.
The English writer brought the thought to life on stage at The Wiltern, transforming the L.A. music venue with the help of his longtime collaborator, production designer Michael Ralph.
“I told him I wanted a heaven that would be a library and a refuge, and he made it for us,” said Gaiman.
It was for one night only for The Art of Elysium’s 2024 Heaven Gala, an artist organization that supports the underserved through art and social change, where Gaiman was honored with The Visionary Award on Saturday. He took the moment to highlight the significance of literature.
“Every time I see a library is under threat, I wince inside because I know that I would not be who I am if it wasn’t for libraries, if it wasn’t for having libraries to go to, if it wasn’t for having access as a child to all the stories, people’s stories, books, to librarians…I would never have grown up to be me,” he said. “And I think about those kids, especially the ones right now in places like Florida, where books are being pulled off the shelves, who don’t have access. Literacy is so important. Life and libraries are important. And our stories are important…Our stories are the most valuable things that we have and they are as valuable as we share them.”
With playwright Jeremy O. Harris tapped as “librarian” emcee, the evening was filled with readings — Joseph Gordon-Levitt chose the foreword of Neil Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves to Death,” while Shanola Hampton took on “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss. Patton Oswalt made the room laugh with a passage from “Tamarisk Row” by Gerald Murnane, as did Jon Hamm, reciting “Good Omens” — Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s 1990 novel — which Gaiman adapted into a fantasy-comedy television series. Hamm is among its cast.
“Hot mic, hot mic,” Hamm said. “You’ll have to excuse me…I can only hear the voices of the co-leads,” he went on, referencing his costars, Scottish actor David Tennant and Welsh actor Michael Sheen. “I’m going to do a ridiculous approximation of their accents. Bear with me.”
The audience included Heidi Klum with daughter Leni; Joe Manganiello; Meredith Salenger; David and Patricia Arquette; Bella Thorne; Christina Hendricks, and Kumail Nanjiani.
The nonprofit also honored actor Cara Santana for supporting its mission, as well as actor Amy Smart and TV host Carter Oosterhouse for their charitable contributions.
“Healing through the arts is such an extraordinary mission, and this organization does incredible work,” said Gaiman.
It was a momentous occasion for the nonprofit, which celebrated its 25th anniversary. They marked the milestone with musical performances, too, bringing out Warpaint’s Theresa Wayman, who sang “Champion,” and Beck, closing out the night with his hit “Loser.”
