SCR/Party Play with Ann Conway

Ann Conway and Betty Huang

Joyce Cathcart

GALA UPDATE
By Ann Conway

SCR Gala Ball "Affair in Shanghai," September 8, 2007. Call 714-708-5504

"It's so early — and everyone looks so happy!" exclaimed Gala Chair Betty Huang — freshly returned from a trip to Shanghai — as she greeted Committee members arriving for their monthly meeting, much earlier than usual (8:30 A.M.!) and at a very different location — the Anne Fontaine store in South Coast Plaza.

Committee members enjoyed a continental breakfast before settling down to business, led by Designer Tom Buderwitz. Flashing colorful renderings of exotic design schemes, he thrilled everyone with his knockout conceptions (think red and gold!) of arrival arches and ballroom backdrops for the September 8 extravaganza at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Underwriting Co-Chairman Dee Higby announced that letters had gone out soliciting support for the Gala, and sales were already well underway, including a $50,000 and $25,000 table. All agreed to set a date of July 1 for meeting the net goal of $500,000. “That way, we can relax and enjoy the Patron Party,” Betty added.

Hosted by generous supporters of the theatre, who throw open their home for the day, the SCR Gala Patron Party is considered one of the most fabulous summer events in Orange County and serves as a thank-you for underwriters. Bette Aitken (2006 Gala Chair and 2005 Patron Party host with her husband Wylie) reminded everyone, “It’s always a fabulous party, and imagine how much more fun it will be if we meet our goal early!”

But there was more on the agenda than committee reports. Sales Manager Kerry Wright greeted everyone, told them about the history of the store and the fascinating life of its creator, Anne Fontaine. Then she invited them to cruise the blouse-filled racks of the elegant boutique — and ring up proceeds for SCR. “Twenty percent of all goods sold today will go into the theatre’s coffers,” she told the delighted shoppers.

2007 Gala Ball Chair
Betty Eu Huang

Executive Gala Ball Committee
Aletha Anderson, Randy Morrison Baird, Gail Doe, Valerie Fearns. Marlene Hamontree. Dee Higby. Linda Hovee, Olivia Johnson, Nancy Kelley, Teri Kennady, Danuta Schenke, Julie Schulz

Gala Ball Committee
Ashleigh Aitken, Bette Aitken, Zee Allred, Susan Anderson, Julianne Argyros, Nancy Baldwin, Toni Berlinger, Tina Bunkis, Mary Carrington, Joyce Cathcart, Donna Cohn, Ann Conway, Yolanda De La Paz, Susan Ehrlich, Sadie Finnegan, Kathryn Glassmyer, Caroline Kelley Gray, Nadine Hall, Pat Hancock, Sandi Jackson, Joan Kaloustian, Linda Maggard, Twyla Martin, Sarah Murr, Pam Muzzy, Pat Neisser, Stacey Nicholas, Donna Phelps, Nola Schneer, Elizabeth Segerstrom, Jan Seitz Jashinski, Connie Spenuzza, Laurie Smits Staude, Sue Stern, Kathy Taylor, Socorro Vasquez, Elaine Weinberg

Proceeds from the SCR Gala constitute the first and largest donation to the theatre’s Annual Fund, in support of education programs.

Anne Fontaine store in South Coast Plaza	Kathryn Glassmyer and Teri Kennady
Randy Morrison Baird and Pat Neisser	Yolanda De La Paz and Bette Aitken