The Crowd: At Chapman, dancing up a storm for the students

Chapman University celebrated its 35th annual black-tie fundraising gala, created to fund scholarships for students in financial need.

The major production, which unfolded Nov. 5 in the Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts, took on an entirely new focus.

The respected Orange County university, located in the city of Orange, changed leadership this year with the retirement of Jim Doti as president. The new leader, Daniele Struppa, has taken helm of the university and was front and center at the annual event, which in the spirit of change and moving forward has been renamed Chapman Celebrates.

For many years the event, which attracted a “who’s who” of local business and social leaders, was created around the theme of American Celebration. What does remain of the format is a rousing performance with a cast of more than 100 students singing and dancing their hearts out. Having the opportunity to perform on the professional stage of the Musco Center, which opened this year, made it all the sweeter.

The orchestra seats of Musco were filled with more than 600 guests dressed to the nines, with wallets wide open in support of a school they all believe in and champion. Over some three decades, this one event has helped raise some $28 million in scholarship support for students studying in every discipline at Chapman.

Struppa did manage to step into the Doti dance shoes, appearing as a guest performer in a major number from the Broadway show “Nine.”

“I have rehearsed the number ‘Cinema Italino’ with the students for the last 10 days, and I have to tell you, I have been blown away by their passion, their commitment and their kindness to each other,” said the new university president.

Also in Chapman tradition, Struppa performed his number with significant Chapman benefactor and larger-than-life personality Julia Argyros, whose stage presence manages to steal the show year after year.

The evening recognized Chapman trustee Thomas Malloy and his wife, Sharon, presenting them with the annual Citizens of the Year award for their dedication to the school. All of the Malloys’ four children have attended Chapman University.

A sentimental video shared with the audience featured emotional tributes from their children, grandchildren and close personal friends in the community. Malloy commented following the video, “We are so honored to have children like this; Sharon and I are truly blessed.”

Also honored at Chapman Celebrates was emeritus Trustee Robert A. Elliott, who was presented with the Presidential Medal in the Arts award. Elliott has been instrumental since the beginning of American Celebration in 1981 in pushing the event to greater levels of fundraising for the students.

“In 1981, we held our first event at the Anaheim Marriott, and as I look around this beautiful Musco Center for the Arts, it reminds me of an old expression, ‘We’ve come a long way baby,’” he said.

Also recognized for 34 years of dedication as the music director and conductor of American Celebration was Dean William Hall, who currently serves as artistic director for the Musco Center. Hall was given the Lifetime Achievement award from Chapman.

The impressive Broadway-style show, which set the mood for the evening gala, featured production numbers from “Easter Parade,” including an impressive rendition of the opening number, “Steppin’ Out With My Baby.” A highlight of the 2016 production was the hauntingly melodic signature dance number “Magic To Do,” from the show “Pippin.”

Donald Guy produced and directed the show, joining Alicia Guy in the role of director and choreographer. After the curtain, the Musco crowd gathered for dinner under a spectacular tent erected on the campus property. The stylish evening was co-chaired with panache by attorneys Ashleigh Aitken and Michael Penn. The crowd danced until the midnight hour, ultimately raising significant funds for current and future Chapman students.

Spotted in the crowd were VIPs Diane and Harry Rinker, Lisa and Phil Case, Suki and Randy McCardle with family members Mark, Andrea, Temre and Russell and Richard Bertea, and Musco Center benefactors extraordinaire S. Paul and Marybelle Musco.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.