SCR/Party Play with Ann Conway

Playwright David Weiner, Honorary Producers Dee and Larry Higby, actor Shannon Cochran, David Emmes

S.L. and Betty Huang, George and Julia Argyros

David Emmes (center) with his kids, Shannon, Erin, Deidre and David

CELEBRATING THE WONDER OF 'WONDERLAND'!
By Ann Conway

"In Hollywood, you're as good as your last picture."
- Eric von Stroheim

How do you celebrate a world premiere? SCR First Nighters know: mingle with directors and members of the cast as you tip flutes of fine wine or toss down steaming java and dive into an alfresco buffet of post-performance comestibles that range from hearty appetizers to delicate desserts.

And so it went for the exhilarated crowd attending the launch of Irvine native David Wiener's System Wonderland — directed by SCR Producing Artistic Director David Emmes — a comedic take on a familiar film theme: hot Hollywood careers gone cold (Think "Sunset Blvd. " meets "All about Eve " with more laughs). "The talent of this playwright drives a Hollywood theme that seems familiar but is full of wit and twists,” observed Emmes as he mingled with the partying throng — including the play's stars Robert Desiderio, Shannon Cochran and John Sloan, on Ela's Terrace.

For the play's Honorary Producers, SCR Board President Larry Higby and his wife, Dee (a past Board President), it was a celebration on several levels. First, the premiere on the Julianne Argyros Stage marked one of two world premieres (the other being My Wandering Boy, playing on Segerstrom Stage through May 6) opening SCR's 10th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival. Second, the play was written by a friend of the couple's son, Rob. "Rob and David were fraternity brothers at Duke University," said Dee. "Being a year older, Dave actually recruited Rob into the fraternity (SAE)." And third, the opportunity to be honorary producers of a world premiere written by a family friend is a chance that comes along once in a lifetime. "It's such a thrill to be honorary producers of this wonderful play and we are delighted to be involved in the success of Dave as a playwright," Dee said. "We know there will be many more successes in the future of this talented young man."

Also on the scene: S.L. and Betty Huang, Chairwoman of “Affair in Shanghai,” SCR's Sept. 8 gala at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. "The play was funny, with some twists, turns and surprises," said Betty. "I loved the way the playwright was able to reveal the characters' inside world."

This is a great time to be an SCR buff, all right. Not only had Betty attended two world premieres at the theatre within a few weeks, she had seen a rehearsal of Hamlet (directed by Tony Award-winner Daniel Sullivan, who attended the opening of System Wonderland) due to open on Segerstrom Stage on Jun 1. "I think this will be a wonderful production!" she said. Betty and her husband S.L. are Honorary Producers of Hamlet.

Also on the scene: Garry Augusta, Leslie and Michael Perlstein and John and Sue Murphy.

Director David Emmes, playwright David Wiener	Actor John Sloan and Gail Doe
Nancy Kelley, Betty Huang, Valerie Fearns	Larry Higby, actor Shannon Cochran, director David Emmes
Julianne Argyros, Wylie and Bette Aitken	Larry Higby, Paula Tomei
Sally Anderson and Tom Rogers	Wylie and Bette Aitken, Mike and Jan Helmuth, Vince Gottuso and Sharon Gottuso