Saluting 30 Years on Segerstrom Stage/Launching SCR'S 45th Theatre Season By Ann Conway
In what may have been SCR's most gleeful evening ever, patrons of the Tony Award-winning theatre marked the 30th anniversary of the Segerstrom Stage, the launch of its 45th season, and its first commissioned musical, An Italian Straw Hat: A Vaudeville, with rousing festivities on Sept. 12 that ranged from an elegant pre-performance fest underwritten by Mikimoto of South Coast Plaza to a rollicking post-performance bash for First Nighters on Ela's Terrace.
Saluting arts philanthropist Henry Segerstrom—who attended with his wife, Elizabeth—and the Segerstrom family at the dinner staged for major donors at The Westin South Coast Plaza, SCR Co-Founder Martin Benson observed that the theatre could not have snagged its '88 Tony for Outstanding Regional Theatre, if not for the Segerstrom Stage. "Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the Segerstrom family we had a real theatre with a real stage; we could fly scenery and truck it on and off. For 14 years prior, we hadn't been able to do that!"
Observed SCR Co-Founder David Emmes, as scenes from past productions flashed on a screen behind him: "And tonight, we have extraordinary artists with us who have helped us create our first commissioned musical—that's whole cloth coming out of SCR—a fitting beginning for our 45th season!"
New SCR Board President Wylie Aitken welcomed dinner guests: "I don't recall seeing so many outstanding people who have contributed so much over so many years in the same room," he said.
Guests dined on braised chicken and lemon cake at tables festooned with white orchids after hearing from Mikimoto Senior Vice President Hajime Fukuju: "A 30th anniversary is commemorated with a pearl and Mikimoto is dedicated to pearls and giving back to the community," he said. "Mikimoto and SCR are devoted to the same thing—excellence! I would like to congratulate the Segerstrom family and SCR on their 30th anniversary; please accept our best wishes for the next 30 years."
Speaking on behalf of the Segerstrom family, Henry Segerstrom commended SCR for its accomplishments (which include 175 productions on the Segerstrom Stage): "The Segerstrom family is immensely proud of what has been presented here. We hope that SCR can continue its strength, vibrance and vitality at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. We have something great going and it's just going to get better and better."
"Delightful!" said Elizabeth Segerstrom of the world-premiere of SCR's first commissioned musical, An Italian Straw Hat: A Vaudeville as she partied with First Nighters on the terrace named for her following the opening-night production. "What a special way to kick off a 45th season!" "Wonderful! Wonderful!" enthused Anton Segerstrom. "Look where we've come in 30 years!" said Mary Roosevelt. "Whodda thunk it?"
Balancing glasses of celebratory libations, First Nighters cruised buffet tables resplendent with tasty dishes whipped up by Mark's Catering as they buzzed about the play underwritten by Corporate Producer Haskell & White LLP and individual Producers Jean and Tim Weiss—"Two very special people, SCR's First Couple!" Benson exclaimed during his curtain remarks—and directed by Stefan Novinski. "I loved everything about the musical," said long-time SCR patron, Judy Rosener. "The voices were great. The music was great and so was the acting, the sentiment!"
Wending his way through the congratulatory crush, Emmes was peacock-proud of "our own musical," he said. "It's the first time we've done this and I'm very satisfied with the journey, to see such a unique and different work come to life."
"It's just so wonderfully silly and fun," Benson said of playwright John Strand's translation and adaptation of Eugene Labiche's beloved 1851 French vaudeville romp (with music by Dennis McCarthy). "It's fun to just go along for the ride."
And what a ride it has been.
