Skies Were Blue!
Reporters rushed forward with notepads poised and flashbulbs popping as guests arrived at South Coast Repertory’s 2009 Gala Ball, Nothing But Blue Skies, chaired by Bette Aitken on September 12 at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort. As always, the greatly anticipated event was another radiant evening of dining and dancing that traditionally opens the theatrical and social seasons in Orange County.
“It’s the one party we can count on to get everything off to a great start—this season more than ever,” said Bette Aitken. “We chose the theme to reflect the mood of those wonderful films of Hollywood’s Golden Age when spirits were lifted by the prospect of good times ahead.”
And the good times began at Nothing But Blue Skies when party-goers made their way through the adoring paparazzi, acknowledged a bow from the doorman and swept down the hallway to be greeted under a dazzling panel of blue skies by Bette and her husband, SCR Board President Wylie Aitken, along with Artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson.
Outside in the Coconut Grove, the reception took place on two levels, with blue sky panels all around, reflecting the spirit of the evening. Of course, this was all about theatre so guests were treated to a bevy of costumed actors reciting monologues from past SCR productions. Their quotes encouraged positive thinking in challenging times.
As the reception ended, elegant dancers led the way into the ballroom, where they performed as guests took their seats at tables bedecked with blue hydrangeas of varying heights that allowed conversation to flow throughout the evening.
During dinner, Producing Artistic Director David Emmes thanked Bette and said that because of her—and the hardworking and creative committee—SCR is blessed with a horizon of blue skies. Bette asked the entire committee to stand and be acknowledged for helping net over $550,000 for SCR’s Annual Fund.
With dessert came a delicious surprise, a performance by Broadway star Douglas Sills, who wowed New York as The Scarlet Pimpernel and recently received glowing reviews for his performance opposite Kristin Chenoweth in Music in the Air. At SCR, he appeared in She Stoops to Folly, The Philadelphia Story and Much Ado About Nothing.
Above the cheering, Olivia Johnson, committee member and former Gala Chair put it best, "The surprise appearance of the fabulous Doug Sills made our hearts pound! When an artist of his caliber performs for us and then raves about SCR, where he has worked so often, it makes us realize again what a jewel we in Orange County have in this great theatre.”
With his rich baritone notes still in the air, guests lingered over dessert, strolled to the Coconut Grove for coffee and chocolates or danced the night away in what everyone agreed was a Gala to remember.
