SCR/Party Play with Ann Conway

Honorary Producers Linda and Tod White flank Playwright Beth Henley

Rich and Donna Cohn with actor Nike Doukas

Gail and Ernie Doe with actress Eliza Pryor

''RIDICULOUS FRAUD" IS ALL IN THE FAMILY
By Ann Conway

Question: When does a post-performance theatre party feel like a family gathering?

Answer: When guests have just beheld a play that mirrors some of their own at-home shenanigans.

"That family — that’s all of us!" exclaimed Janet Curci, as she sampled an array of Southern-style desserts — maple pecan tarts, sweet potatoe pie, bread pudding with peach marmalade — on Ela's Terrace following the Oct. 20 West Coast premiere on Segerstrom Stage of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Beth Henley's Ridiculous Fraud.

"We can all relate to everything we saw — the problems! The disasters! The family history!" said a laughing Linda White, Honorary Producer with her husband, Tod, of the absurdist comedy about a New Orleans' family — beset with rivalry and jealousy — and its madcap solutions to their struggles with the human condition. "It's amazing that Henley can get so many laughs out of so many disastrous situations."

The multi-layered tale about three brothers hysterically engaged in the throes of learning how to be true to themselves — even if they can't be true to each other — had theater-goers chuckling with glee and self-recognition. Afterward, the smiling throng enjoyed a lively alfresco bash, cruising buffets arrayed with Southern-inspired fare provided by Memphis restaurant: fried green tomatoes, andouille sausage, collard greens, crawfish, crab cakes, baked macaroni and cheese and more. Sensual, smoky-sounding jazz was provided by the Poetic Justice trio.

As members of the audience buzzed about the genius of Henley — who won the Pulitizer Prize for Drama in 1981 for Crimes of the Heart — Henley sipped white wine, accepted congratulatory hugs and raved about them: "What a beautiful audience tonight!" she said. "They were so warm, intelligent, big-hearted, wonderful!"

Just like family.

Also on the scene: Greg Seibly, U.S. Bank California State President, and his wife Claire; Marion Burgeson; Bob and Mimi Holcombe; Roric Harrison and Danuta Schenke; Peter and Connie Spenuzza; Barry and Marsha Waldman; Richard and Monica Watson.

Bob and Linda Hovee, Nancy and Jim Largent	Dr. S.L. Huang, actors Matt Letscher and Matt McGrath and Betty Huang
Dennis and Joanne Keith and Molly Lynch and Alan Andrews flank actor Betsy Brandt	Actor Ian Fraser. Rose Krupp of Western Digital Foundation, Paul Hacunda
Gordon and Rita Fishman, Laurie Smits Staude, actor Randy Oglesby	Director Sharon Ott with SCR Artistic Director Martin Benson
Bill Cave, Market President of U.S. Bank, Honorary Producers (center), and his wife Christy (left), greet Director Sharon Ott.	Honorary Producers Linda and Tod White with Playwright Beth Henley (second for left) and actor Paul Vincent O'Connor