SCR/Party Play with Ann Conway

Playwright Terry Johnson, Underwriters Valerie and Geoff Fearns

Linda Hovee, Paula Tomei, actor Dakin Matthews, Larry Higby

Betty and Bob Plumleigh with actor Sarah Aldrich (center)

Andy Johnson and actor Robin Sachs

Bewitched by 'Hitch'
By Ann Conway

Why did British playwright Terry Johnson spend the U.S. premiere of his play, Hitchcock Blonde, in the bar at South Coast Repertory? “I never watch my plays. Why would I? They’re very strange," he quipped, minutes after sailing into the lively post-performance bash held in the voluminous lobby of Park Tower.

Strange, perhaps, but riveting. The SRO crowd attending the Feb. 10 performance on Segerstrom Stage barely breathed as they beheld the two-act tale about sexual and artistic obsession that is not just about the intriguing and mysterious Hitch, but Everyman, Johnson observed. "Hitchcock's a big, grandiose film metaphor for what the play is about—men looking at women, objectifying women, not being able to make them real," he said.

Spilling out of the theatre onto the path that led them to the party, guests were not only abuzz over the unnervingly real portrayal of Hitchcock played by esteemed Shakespearean actor Dakin Matthews, but over the total nudity displayed by earnest wavy blond actress Sarah Aldrich. "Let's just say, I'm glad when SCR takes a chance," deadpanned Darrel Anderson, who attended the play with his wife, Marsha. "Dakin was more Hitchcock than Hitchcock!" gushed another playgoer. Guests were also wowed by the breathtaking stage backdrops—continuously evolving projected scenery created by London-born designer William Dudley. "Those effects were an amazing technological feat—who knew we could ever do that on our stage?" said Olivia Johnson.

Looking happily content with the crowd's reception to the production they helped underwrite, Valerie and Geoff Fearns mingled with the crush, who included SCR artistic directors David Emmes and Martin Benson and actors Martin Noyes, Robin Sachs and Adriana DeMeo. "The scenery was amazing and the actors were incredible!" Valerie exclaimed. "This is a play that is not going to be forgotten."

Drinking in the action from the sidelines, Johnson took a moment to huddle with an exhilarated—and fully clothed—Aldrich. "This has been the most fun experience I've ever had; it's been so easy working with Terry," Aldrich said, gazing worshipfully at the playwright. "He's clear and laid back about allowing us to get where we need to go and trusting us." How did it feel to appear boldly in the altogether before a packed theatre? "It's the first time I've ever done it," Aldrich said. "I'm so in love with the play that, the truth is, I just kept waiting to get scared and never did."

Settling in for a drink, the Hitchcock-playing Matthews happily played himself as he mingled with fans. Gone was the protruding lower lip and the penguin-like paunch. He'd prepared for the role by "watching Hitchcock and listening to him and indulging in my own memories of him," Matthews explained. "I had special padding in my suit and cotton in my lower lip part of the time to make it stick out—like Brando in The Godfather," he confided. For Matthews, it was yet another challenge on one of his favorite stages. "I love being here at SCR; I really do," he said.

Also on the scene: Mike and Christine Borrelli, Ernie and Gail Doe, Bob and Linda Fritch, Rebekah Gladson and Paul Cooley, John Gunnin, Ed and Jade Larocque, Joe and Sonya Lozowski, George and Micki Rach, Jeff and Linda Saccacio, Jane and Richard Taylor, Allan and Anna Tsungseth, Tom and Joyce Tucker and Parham and Polly Williams.

Playwright and Director Terry Johnson and Wylie and Bette Aitken	Larry Higby, David Emmes, Betty Huang, Dee Higby and S.L. Huang
Honorary Producer Valerie Fearns and actorAdriana DeMeo	Dennis and Joanne Keith and Laurie and Bart Brown