South Coast Repertory’s 2009 Gala Ball “Nothing But Blue Skies” Opens O.C. Social and Theatrical Seasons, Nets Over $550,000
Broadway Star Douglas Sills Is Surprise Guest; Sings Four Show-Stopping Numbers
COSTA MESA, CA. – There was “Nothing But Blue Skies” for South Coast Repertory on September 12, 2009 when its Gala Ball opened the theatrical and social seasons in Orange County with a glittering event that netted over $550,000 for the theatre’s Annual Fund and featured a surprise performance by Douglas Sills.
Chaired by Bette Aitken, the evening of dining and dancing at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort began in the spirit of the Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire movie Blue Skies and other films of Hollywood’s Golden Age—an era when spirits were lifted by the prospect of good times ahead—and ended with a modernistic nod to the future.
“In the same way, as we honor SCR’s past achievements, we have glorious expectations for the future of the theatre we all love so much and which we celebrate tonight,” Aitken said.
And celebrate they did with a party first envisioned by the 44-member Committee more than seven months ago, implemented through their creativity and hard work with Gala Designer Tom Buderwitz, and produced by SCR’s brilliant theatre artists and artisans.
The glamorous evening began with the popping of flashbulbs as Gala guests alighted from their cars, waved to the paparazzi, and posed for photos near a bright blue Ford roadster and its liveried chauffeur. Greeted by a smiling doorman and accompanied by genial bellhops, they swept through the entranceway and down the hall, to be welcomed beneath a dazzling panel of blue skies by the Gala Chair, her husband, SCR Board President Wylie Aitken, and artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson.
Then it was on to the Coconut Grove, where they greeted friends and welcomed newcomers in a blue-draped reception area made even more intimate by surrounding panels of blue skies and soft white clouds. At tables topped with balloon sculptures, which illuminated as dusk approached, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and sipped fine wines and champagne donated by Young’s Market Company, which also supplied the evening’s Pinnacle vodka.
During the reception, pairs of actors—elegantly costumed in shades of blue, silver and white—performed excerpts from SCR productions, choosing those that extolled the virtues of engaging new opportunities and thinking positively in times of challenge.
As darkness fell, the actors were joined by swirling dancers, who led the way into a ballroom where guests took their seats at shimmering tables topped with blue hydrangea floral creations. Elegant gift bags at each place contained a pearl-tipped Mikimoto pen a Mikimoto book recounting the storied founding of cultured pearls.
Themes of today and yesterday merged as the dancers performed on a black and white dance floor reminiscent of Hollywood movie musicals while stunning light towers, flanking the stage and soaring sixteen feet, added a modern touch as they changed colors through the night.
Emmes, Benson and Wylie Aiken welcomed guests, presented Bette Aitken with a floral bouquet and extolled her Gala leadership, reminding everyone that “Nothing But Blue Skies” is the second SCR Gala she has successfully chaired. Bette credited her hard-working and creative committee, who helped make the event successful and set the standard for fundraising parties in Orange County with the first and most exciting party of the season.
As dessert was served, Emmes and Benson returned to the podium to announce the evening’s surprise guest, Broadway star Douglas Sills, who gained fame as The Scarlet Pimpernel and recently knocked the socks off every critic in New York opposite Kristin Chenoweth in Music in the Air. Sills, who last wowed South Coast Repertory audiences as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, declared his affection for SCR by treating guests to four of his favorite songs.
With his rich baritone notes still in the air, guests lingered over dessert, strolled to the Coconut Grove for coffee and chocolates or danced away the night at what everyone agreed was a Gala to remember.
Among the Gala guests were Jean & Tim Weiss, Dee & Larry Higby, Linda & Tod White, Elaine Weinberg, Pam & Jim Muzzy, Barbara & Bill Roberts, Yvonne & Damien Jordan, Nancy & Kim Kelley, Betty & S.L. Huang, Roger Kirwan & Tracy Martin, Sue & Ralph Stern, Ann & Jim Morris, Marilyn & Tom Sutton, Jane & Jim Driscoll, Lynne and Jim Doti, Melody Robinson, Ashleigh Aitken & Michael Penn, Sophie & Larry Cripe, Valerie & Geoff Fearns, Heidi Cortese & Rick Sherman, Mary Ann Brown & Rick Reiff, Beth & Tom Phelps, Pat & Carl Neisser, Sally Anderson & Tom Rogers, Bill & Christina Lyon, Rhiannon & Greg Spierkel, Victoria & David Collins, Carol & Mike Bertolino, Toni & Steve Berlinger, Donna & Rich Cohn, Connie & Peter Spenuzza, Nancy & Victor Dahan, Marci & Bill Weinberg, Michelle & Jim Jaeger, Marcia & Mel Rogers, Sharon & Terry Hartshorn, Teri Kennady & Eric Hyman, Susan & Bob Ehrlich, Nadine & Robert Hall, Marlene & Sam Hamontree, Robert Palmer & Nicole Smith, Olivia & Andy Johnson, Sue & John Murphy, Linda & Bob Hovee, Laurie Smits Staude, Joan Kaloustian, Linda Maggard, Danuta Schenke & Bruce Herber, Julie Ann & Jim Ulcickas, Ardelle St. George & Don Carnegie and Diana Martin & Mark Tomaino.
To view photographs of Nothing But Blue Skies, please visit www.scr.org >support scr>special events after Tuesday, September 22. To order photos for publication, please contact mad@scr.org.
Next up at South Coast Repertory, Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together, which had its first preview performance Friday night on the Segerstrom Stage and runs through October 11, followed by the World Premiere The Happy Ones, directed by Martin Benson on the Julianne Argyros Stage September 27-October 18.
