Celebrating a Dream Come True: 45 Years of Innovative Theatre and Heartfelt Community Support By Ann Conway
"The Shakespearean forest we are dining in tonight is a symbol of the dream that has kept us going from the very beginning," South Coast Repertory Co-Founding Artistic Director David Emmes told the elegant crowd assembled in a twinkly-branched ballroom at the "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Gala marking the theater's 45th season. "It was a dream of creating a theatre in Orange County. And the most important thing is that this community shared that vision. Without you, Martin and I would still be in our storefront (theatre), hoping to make next month's rent!"
Co-Founding Artistic Director Martin Benson also took the spotlight before the black-tie crowd of nearly 400 guests at the Sept. 6 celebration at the St. Regis Resort Monarch Beach: "One thing that has always been inherent in this SCR effort is our commitment to the work and our dedication to that work," Benson said. "And, finally, the dedication of all of you to provide the resources to do all of that work! Thank you, thank you, for the tremendous gift you've given David, myself and SCR."
Arriving guests enjoyed rainbow-hued Dreamtini cocktails as they descended a grand staircase and then swept onto the luxury hotel's verdant Pacific Lawn to enjoy tasty appetizers such as caviar blinis and coconut shrimp. They also had the chance to hobnob with costumed characters from the Tony Award-winning theatre's past productions. "Make way for the Queen! Make way for the Queen!" an impish, spike-haired Puck told guests as 'Queen Elizabeth I'— swaddled in shimmering gold brocade—joined the bemused throng.
Speaking of the regal Elizabeth, new SCR Board President Wylie Aitken told guests he'd spotted "someone in the crowd" he hadn't yet met, a character from Amy Freed's The Beard of Avon. He was tempted to pursue a friendship, he told the smiling Queen from onstage, "but I watched what happened to your previous paramours and I'm going to pass!" Meanwhile, Aitkin spoke of his one-and-only-love, Bette Aitken, a past SCR Gala Chair, commending her for taking a chance on a "young law student." The couple was celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary that night.
After a formal dinner of beef tenderloin, sea bass and a trio of desserts presented on a plate silk-screened with the SCR logo, John Tu's California Dreamin' orchestral band played for dancing under a canopy of fairy lights. Observed Gala Chair Jean Weiss, who surprised the crowd when she appeared onstage in a black wig to sing backup for "Diana Ross" (along with previous Gala Chairs Dee Higby and Betty Huang): "Thank you so much for being here! Because of your generosity, we have netted over $500,000!"
And to Emmes and Benson, Weiss said: "Thank you for never giving up on a dream that has brought our community so much joy!"
