SCR/Party Play with Ann Conway

Honorary Producers Larry and Dee Higby (middle) with David Emmes and Martin Benson

Haskell and White's Rick Smetanka and his wife Cheri with Actor Richard Ziman

Wylie Aitken, Director Warner Shook, Bette Aitken

Jennifer Parsons, Actor Richard Doyle, Olivia Johnson

"BORN" TO ENTERTAIN
By Ann Conway

The laughs just kept coming. Spilling out of Segerstrom Stage after watching the opening night performance of playwright Garson Kanin's beloved classic, Born Yesterday, the SRO crowd giggled as they chatted about the screwball comedy they'd just seen: the tale of an unpolished ex-chorus girl mistress (played by Jennifer Lyon) falling for a reporter (Paul Morgan Stetler) hired to give her patina as she mingles with the snooty Washington-set and ends up out-maneuvering her bewildered lover (Richard Ziman).

"I'd have to give it a 10!" raved a smiling Hedda Marosi, heading for the lively alfresco reception, catered by Mark’s, on Ela's Terrace. "I was laughing; but the man next to me was laughing so hard, my seat was shaking!"

"This play is so much fun," observed SCR Artistic Director Martin Benson, wending his way through the crush of theatre-goers. "It evokes an era so romantic and glamorous. The audience had a wonderful time with it."

And so did the play's director, Warner Shook, who, beaming at the audience's enthusiastic response, seemed lit from within as he discussed the challenges of staging a comedic classic that, after it opened on Broadway in 1946 starring Judy Holliday (who later starred in the movie role), played for nearly four years. "To do it justice, you have to find the right people to play in it—that's the hardest part, to cast it impeccably," Shook said. "And I feel I was successful in that, so we were able to elevate the play to where it belongs" in the realm of theatrical blockbusters.

First-time SCR Honorary Producers Dee and Larry Higby were overwhelmed by the attention they received from the crowd. "Everybody is thanking us and we didn't do anything!" said Dee Higby, a former SCR Board President. Observed Trustee Larry Higby, who was surrounded by well-wishers: "Our part was very small; we were honored to do it. People seemed to really enjoy the play. Regardless of their politics, everybody could identify with it."  (The Higby’s “very small” part was underwriting the production, along with Corporate Honorary Producer Haskell & White LLP.)

Dee said she especially enjoyed watching Lyon play the part of the not-so-dumb blond protagonist, Billie Dawn. "I always like to see the woman look bright and the man not," she joked. "That's kind of fun for me."

Still sporting her stage makeup, the stunning Jennifer Lyon joined the happy revelers, receiving compliment after compliment on her seamless execution of a demanding role that blends naivete with smarts. "I adore the role," she said. "Every night, it's going to be a blessing to go out there and do it. I love Billie's innocence and idealism. I love that she is really the smartest one in the room. She's just not educated, that's all."

On the scene:  Rick Smetanka of Haskell & White LLP and his wife Cheri, Dori Caillouette, Gail and Ernie Doe, Pat and Gene Hancock, Patricia and Chester Houston, Linda and Jeff Hultman, Cindy and Tom Houston, Olivia and Andy Johnson, Gail and Roger Kirwan, Micki and George Rach and Michael Sukoff.

Bob Hovee, Ernie Doe, Tom Tyson, Ralph Stern	Honorary Producers Dee and Larry Higby with Actor Richard Ziman, middle
Gail Soderling, Actor Alan Blumenfeld, Hedda Marosi, Ron Soderling	Sue Stern, Linda Hovee, Actor Paul Morgan Stetler
John Murray, Actor Jennifer Lyon, Tom Sutton	Director Warner Shook and "Bella Luna"