Sharon Stone and Lily Tomlin Open a Night Where Art and Ocean Advocacy Converge

Sharon Stone opened the evening at the premiere of THE OCEAN: Our Liquid Universe at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Photo Credit: acerophotos /Anthony Acero

On March 19, 2026, beneath the glowing marquee of the Saban Theatre in Los Angeles, an ambitious and emotionally resonant event unfolded—THE OCEAN: Our Liquid Universe. What emerged over the course of the evening was not merely a performance, but a compelling cultural statement about humanity’s fragile relationship with the sea—one framed from the very beginning by the commanding presence of Lily Tomlin and Sharon Stone.

Opening the night, Tomlin and Stone did more than offer introductory remarks. They grounded the evening in purpose, lending their voices and gravitas to a production that sought to bridge art and environmental urgency. Their participation signaled a deeper truth about the event itself: that storytelling, when placed in the hands of artists who understand its power, can become a force for awareness and change.

Presented by WORDTheatre, Our Liquid Universe is a carefully curated fusion of literature, music, and scientific reflection. The organization, known for transforming written works into vivid live experiences, has here expanded its mission—channeling the voices of celebrated authors and thinkers into a collective meditation on the ocean. It is not simply a theme, but the emotional and intellectual core of the night.

A distinguished ensemble of actors—including Bellamy Young, Jason Butler Harner, Tracie Thoms, and Stephen Tobolowsky—brought to life a tapestry of texts that moved fluidly between poetic reverence and scientific insight. These performances avoided theatrical excess, instead offering something more intimate and reflective, allowing the words themselves to resonate.

Lily Tomlin and Cedering Fox (Founder and Artistic Director of WORDTheatre). Photo Credit: acerophotos / Anthony Acero

Supporting them was a 16-piece orchestra led by Grammy-winning composer Starr Parodi and conductor Anthony Parnther. The music did not merely accompany the readings—it amplified them, evoking the ocean’s vastness, its volatility, and its quiet, enduring rhythms. Special musical appearances, including Dave Bayley of Glass Animals and soul icon Louis Price, added contemporary and historical depth to the evening’s soundscape.

At the heart of the production lies a collaboration with Ocean Rising, an initiative dedicated to inspiring a deeper appreciation and protection of the sea. Their influence is unmistakable. This is not a passive celebration of nature’s beauty—it is an urgent appeal to recognize what is at stake.

That urgency is matched by action. WORDTheatre’s decision to provide 150 Title I high school students with access to the event underscores a commitment to future generations. It transforms the evening from an exclusive cultural experience into an inclusive educational one, planting the seeds of environmental stewardship where they matter most. In addition, the stunning program was created and directed by WORDTheatre founder Cedering Fox.

In a time when environmental discourse often feels abstract or overwhelming, THE OCEAN: Our Liquid Universe succeeds by making it personal. It reminds its audience that the ocean is not distant—it is deeply intertwined with human life, history, and imagination.

And with Lily Tomlin and Sharon Stone opening the evening, the message carried a particular clarity: that the arts are not separate from the world’s most pressing issues, but essential to understanding them.

The ocean does not need more admiration. It needs advocates.

For one night in Los Angeles, those advocates found their voice.