Jennifer Aniston acted on Broadway for the first time yesterday in the 6th Annual 24 Hour Plays on Broadway benefit, with proceeds to go toward arts education for needy NY city children. She joined Rosie Perez, Nia Vardalos, Anna Paquin and Liev Schrieber in lending her time and talent to the project, which involved six 10-minute plays written and performed within a day.

Actors had to bring their own props and clothing, and Aniston brought along a chef’s jacket. Her coworkers for the day praised her professionalism. Her quick performance as a single woman who has trouble dating was said to be quite convincing.

This is Aniston’s first well publicized charity stint. She quipped during a press conference this summer that “No, I’m not interested in any of that” when asked if she was curious about the war in Iraq or environmental causes, concluding “I like to just focus on me and my tabloid career.” Some people praised her self-depricating humor while others noted that it was quite revealing of Aniston’s true nature.

Last week the former Friends star purchased a $15 million home in LA right next to Courteney Cox and David Arquette’s house. It was designed in the 1970s by architect Hal Levitt and is being rebuilt. As you can see in the gallery it’s a stunning modern mansion. Aniston has been renting a two bedroom house on the beach in Malibu this summer. It is thought that she paid upwards of $30,000 a month rent.

Here are pictures of Aniston’s new home and some candids of her out in NY on 10/19. [via] and [via]

Here’s a video interview along with footage from Ashlee Simpson’s performance in Chicago. Commentors on Oh No They Didn’t, where we found the video, are divided. Some people think she’s great while other says she’s got no stage performance, is mediocre or just plain bad.

She strikes me a really dumb in her interview, but at least she’s enthusiastic and gracious. Personally I think she’s a good performer and can actually sing, even if it’s not amazing. Plus I’m kind of blown away with how gorgeous she looks on video now.

Ashlee Simpson had her first performace as Roxie Hart in the “Chicago” musical in London’s West End last night. Celeb-friendly Hello! magazine says it was top notch and that Ashlee delivered the goods in a live performance after getting busted lip synching just last year:

Since undergoing plastic surgery following her Marie Claire interview telling girls to accept their flaws, Ashlee has successfully reinvented herself. Big sister Jessica is in a bit of a slump with poor fashion choices and a high-profile divorce. Maybe Jessica she should get some advice from Ashlee on how to enjoy single life.

Meanwhile the Simpson sister’s controlling father/manager, Joe, is angering the co-producer of a new movie set to star Jessica, “Blonde Ambition.” “Malcolm in the Middle” star Justin Berfield is said to be annoyed with Simpson’s controlling ways, which may threaten the future of the film.

Here is Ashlee after her performance last night. [via]

Julia Roberts received a standing ovation last night on the official opening of her broadway play “Three Days of Rain.” Many celebrities attended the show and after party, and people said they loved it. Unfortunately the critics trashed Julia’s performance.

The play is a huge box office success, though, thanks to Roberts’ star power. All 16 performances are sold out, and have grossed nearly $2 million.

Celebrities pictured attending the show include James Gandolfini, Dave Matthews, Marcia Gay Harden, Thaddeus Scheel, Rosie Perez, Kristen Johnston, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Elaine Stritch, Oprah, Gayle King, Mario Cantone, and Michael C. Hall. Roberts is shown on stage and at the after party with her co-stars, Paul Rudd, and Bradley Cooper.

Paris Hilton should not wear her hair back, because it emphasizes the fact that one of her eyes is a bit squinty. Hilton attended “Hedwig And The Angry Inch” presented by Smashbox cosmetics at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood last night. Other celebrities pictured include Cisco Adler, Milla Jovovich, Scott Weiland, Mark McGrath and Taryn Manning.
Danny Masterson and Juliet Lewis must have just smoked up at the celebrity Scientology center because they both look pretty high.

9 more pictures after the jump.

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We mentioned yesterday that Julia Roberts’ new play, “Three Days of Rain,” opened last night on Broadway. It’s sure to sell out due to Roberts’ star power and the play’s dramatic strength. Here’s a bit more about the plot:

Julia plays the daughter in the first act, and the mother in the second act. It sounds like a clever plot and it’s sure to be interesting.

Here’s Roberts signing autographs and leaving the theatre after what must have been a fabulous performance.

Julia Roberts will make her debut on Broadway in “Three Days of Rain” tonight, which is described as “an emotionally rich drama about a brother and sister and their childhood pal who reunite for the reading of a will.”

“Rain” is produced by Marc Platt, who knows Julia from their work together on “Mary Reilly” and has also produced “Legally Blonde” and the stage hit “Wicked.” It is written by acclaimed playright Richard Greenberg, who created two roles that will be played by Julia:

Tonight’s sold out performance is just a preview. The play officially opens on April 12th for a three month run.

Here is Julia in a Gianfranco Ferre and and in some candids looking a bit annoyed.

Pictures [via] [via]

Two more after the jump.

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