SCR/Party Play with Ann Conway

Ernie and Socorro Vasquez (right) with one of the evening’s “Eccentrics,” portrayed by students and staff in SCR’s Theatre Conservatory

Dancing to the beat of the Luna Loka Band

Angela Fu, David Lee, Socorro Vasquez and Betty Huang

Susan and Bob Ehrlich, Nadine Hall and Timothy and Janis McDuffie with an “Eccentric”

Presto! It's Magic!
By Ann Conway

In an ecstatic blur of ruby and amber light, shimmering red satin and a riot of multi-ethnic paper lanterns, the ballroom at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort transformed into an international stage on September 17 for South Coast Repertory's gala social season opener, "Encantar....As if by Magic."

With platform performers executing moves that ranged from boot-pounding Flamenco dancing to navel-baring belly dancing (this was a party with a pulse), guests felt as if they had landed in Spain or the Middle East. Observed guest Fernando Niebla: "The gala team has done a wonderful job. I feel like I'm in another country—or maybe two...or three!"

Speaking to the ebullient crowd midway through their gourmet repast—tapas, onion-dusted tenderloin of beef and a duo of desserts—SCR Board President N. Christian Anderson welcomed them to the Gala that raised more than $470,000 for the Annual Fund. "Magic—that's what it's been so far tonight, don't you think?" he said. Gala-goers, who included SCR Artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson, along with former Spanish Ambassador George Argyros and his wife, Julianne—applauded enthusiastically as Anderson spoke of the new season, launched with German playwright Bertolt Brecht's epic The Caucasian Chalk Circle. "There will be 13 more outstanding plays of that caliber this season," he said. “And in addition, the theater will reach 50,000 children in our community through our education and outreach programming. Thank you."

No sooner had arriving guests descended the hotel's rotunda staircase than they were met by wandering gypsies dancing in flowing, bejeweled skirts and elegantly gowned "Eccentrics" who beckoned from exotic perches. As one guest beheld a beautiful woman on high—who was handing out glittering coins and silk pouches filled with blinking lights, he asked: "What are you?"  "An Eccentric," she explained. "We are the opposite of the gypsies. We are of a higher class .....in our own world."

Beaming as she made the rounds in a burgundy silk taffeta gown with a flounced train, Gala Chairwoman Socorro Vasquez said she was thrilled with the dramatic results of months of creative planning by her committee. "This has turned out to be just what we'd hoped—a night of magic, mystique and surprises," she said.

During dinner, in a gesture of gratitude, Emmes presented Vasquez with a floral bouquet. She, in turn, thanked her team for their untiring dedication: "Mil gracias y salud!" she said. Committee chairs: Aletha Anderson, Betty Huang, Caroline Gray, Nancy Kelley, Bette Aitken, Gail Doe, Patricia Houston, Yvonne Jordan, Monica Vasquez-Gullena and Donna Phelps.

Guests also included Dee and Larry Higby, Gail and Ernie Doe, Saxon and Chris Copps, Linda and Bob Hovee, Susan and Bob Ehrlich, Dori and Jamie Caillouette, Michelle and Jim Jaeger, Sue and Ralph Stern, Yvonne and Damien Jordan, Michelle O’Leary, Bernice and Matt Massengill, Teri Kennady and Eric Hyman, Marilyn and Tom Sutton and Elaine and Martin Weinberg.

Photos by Debora Robinson

A 30-foot backdrop recalls John Singer Sargent’s painting “El Jaleo,” giving the room the illusion of a grand salon and reflecting the evening’s theme	Dee Higby and Wendy Benson
Betty Huang, Tim Weiss, Jim Jaeger and Jean Weiss	Ralph Baumann and Jan Seitz Jashinski
Dan and Melly Lindsay	David Emmes, "Eccentric", and Martin Benson

Maralou and Jerry Harrington	Julia Argyros, Larry Higby with Martin Benson (seated)	Donna Phelps, Teri Kennady, Eric Hyman, Dr. Ronald Phelps
Julie and Chris Schulz (right and back) with"Eccentric,"	Stephanie and Jeff Gehl	“Eccentric” with Socorro and Ernie Vasquez

Rebecca McLarand, Samantha Smiley and Ernie Vasquez	Miguel Vasquez and Maria Elena Avila
Joe Guillena, Monica Vasquez-Guillena, Samantha Smiley and Todd Minkin	Judy Morr and Jean Weiss
Paula Tomei, Chris and Aletha Anderson and Saxon Copps	“Eccentrics” (left and right in gypsy costumes) with Mark and Candise Holmlund and Marilyn and Tom Sutton
Gene Hancock, "Eccentric" belly dancer and Wylie Aitken	Julia and George Argyros
The Gala Committee	Pat and Chester Houston
Tom Tucker and Carl McLarand	Martin and Elaine Weinberg