RELEASE: September 8, 2007

SOUTH COAST REPERTORY’S ‘AFFAIR IN SHANGHAI’ GALA NETS OVER $600,000 FOR THE THEATRE’S ANNUAL FUND

COSTA MESA, CA., September 8, 2007 – The social and theatrical seasons in Orange County officially got underway tonight with South Coast Repertory’s 2007-08 Gala Ball, “Affair in Shanghai.” The 29th annual event, held at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel netted more than $600,000 for the Annual Fund in support of SCR’s artistic and educational programs.

According to Gala Chair Betty Huang, “We knew the party was going to be wonderful, and we hoped to meet our very high goal — and tonight we have exceeded all expectations. Everyone has been captivated by our theme, the exotic world of Old Shanghai as it blends with the dazzle of today’s modern city. And because of the generosity of our table hosts and underwriters, we surpassed our goal by $100,000.”

In the months leading up to the Gala, Huang travelled frequently to Shanghai, returning with fabrics, decorations and favors that would lend authenticity to the event. Among her party gifts were traditional Chinese fans, presented to each female guest, and black and silver chopsticks etched with dragon or phoenix designs, which were placed at each table setting.

Guests arrived at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel as daylight waned, and were greeted by Betty and S.L. Huang and SCR’s Artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson. In moments, they were transported to Shanghai, for a glorious evening in the city that leads two lives.

Following an outside stairway, past a huge Chinese fan — symbol of the “Affair in Shanghai” Gala — guests strolled beneath red and gold arches to the reception area where they gathered around a centerpiece Chinese pagoda built over the courtyard fountain. The romance and splendor of Old Shanghai settled languidly over the area, which was lit with vibrant colored lanterns and embellished with touches of a bygone era.

Sampling hors d’oeuvres and sipping cocktails — including the signature “Shanghai Kiss”* — guests mingled with an intriguing mixture of foreign travellers from the sensual and hedonistic Shanghai of the 1930s, where everyone came in search of adventure.

But another world awaited, today’s bustling city, Modern Shanghai. Cymbal and gong sounded as dual lion dancers appeared to lead guests into the ballroom for dinner and dancing. Party-goers were catapulted into a dazzling city, pulsating with color and lit with Chinese symbols** in flashing neon.

Chinese red runners, also brought from Shanghai by Betty Huang, and centerpieces by Jane Hansen Floral Design, adored the tables where guests enjoyed an Asian-themed three-course dinner and chatted with friends to the conversational beat of a jazz combo from J.T. and The California Dreamin’, the 28-piece orchestral band which later played for dancing until midnight.

Board President Larry Higby and Artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson welcomed the guests, presented Huang with a floral bouquet and thanked her for the grand evening and the record-breaking gift.
Emmes said, “Tonight signals the beginning of SCR’s 44th Season, and in just six days, there’ll be another exciting event for Orange County—First Night of A Little Night Music, followed by the world premiere of Shipwrecked! by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies on September 28. But it all starts here, with the Gala, and we have Betty and her committee to thank for making this night such a great success.”

As the evening progressed and darkness fell, the reception area was transformed into a Night Bazaar with coffee and tea bars offering Asian tea cookies and chocolate truffles. A bird-seller peddled his feathered wares along the streets while a table was set up for the ancient Chinese game of mahjong. In Bazaar booths, a caligrapher lettered names on parchment and a fortune teller distributed horoscopes for the year of the red fire pig (which, he assured recipients, is a mild-tempered—and lucky—animal).

Guests in the Bazaar were encouraged to lounge comfortably on pillows around the pagoda, sipping coffee or tea, while those in the ballroom lingered over dessert or danced away the night at what everyone agreed was a Gala to remember, including the evening’s surprise finale.

Addenda:

*Shanghai Kiss ingredients:
¾ oz pomegranate liquor, ¾ oz pineapple rum, ½ oz triple sec, 1 oz cranberry juice
Shake over ice and serve in martini glass. Add lychee fruit garnish on bamboo skewer!

** Translations:
Welcome...SCR...Shanghai Night...California Dreamin’...Thank You!

To view photographs of Affair in Shanghai, please visit “SCR Party Play with Ann Conway” (http://www.scr.org/aboutSCR/conway/conway.asp). Photos will be available online Wednesday, September 12. To order photos for publication, please contact: mad@scr.org.