Arts Center Puts on Ritz for Fund-Raiser

“S’Wonderful Gershwin,” a musical revue by members of the Stage Door chapter of the Orange County Performing Arts Center Guilds was S’Marvelous.

Performing Sunday in the ballroom at the Emerald Hotel in Anaheim were 10 troopers who had practiced “twice a week for six weeks,” said chapter president Doris Pascale. She and her twin sister, Daphne Walker, were musical directors for the show.

While the twins played a piano duet of “Rhapsody in Blue” between numbers, the troupe sang Gershwin favorites such as “Of Thee I Sing,” “But Not for Me,” and “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.”

The show-stopping women--Margaret Agul, Marty Blixt, Joan Bortells, Judy Carlson, Lenore Silby and Jean Cook--combined voices for an up-tempo rendition of “The Man I Love.” And the men--Vincent Agul, Jim Carlson, George Cook, Ridge Friedel--sang a debonair “They All Laughed.” The entire cast brought down the house with their finale--a goose-bumps version of “S’Wonderful.”

The event, which raised $7,000 for the Center, marked the sixth time the chapter has staged a musical production as benefit entertainment. “We decided to go with Gershwin this year after we realized it was the his 50th anniversary (of his death),” said Pascale, who added that her show biz experience and that of her sister, reached “back to the days of Major Bowes--we performed at nightclubs in New York, but I’m not telling what decade!”

The 30-minute show followed a cocktail reception in the hotel’s Garden Pavilion and a sit-down dinner that included chicken, rice pilaf and a dreamy raspberry cheesecake.

Judy Cristiano chaired the event. Georgeen Whitney served as director and choreographer. Guests paid $50 each to attend. Ron Rubin’s orchestra played for dancing.

Earlier the same day, members of the Debussy chapter of the Orange County Performing Arts Center guilds gathered at the Pavilion shopping area in Dana Point to “Savour the Arts.”

Chapter members dined on local restaurant fare and viewed an 80-piece juried art show coordinated by Pavilion Fine Arts, Ltd.

“We wanted our event to couple the fine art opportunities available here (performing and visual) in Orange County,” said Lorrie Rodgers, a chapter vice president.

As 325 guests strolled grounds swept by ocean breezes, they placed auction bids on select art items and sampled finger foods from Ghaffari’s, Picasso’s, Pasta House Ferrantelli, Club Yogurt and Delice restaurants.

Harpist Kathy Kavanaugh-Farr serenaded guests with classic and pop selections. Fine wines and champagne were served.

“This event is the first of its kind held in Dana Point,” Rodgers said. Proceeds were estimated at $12,000. Guests paid $25 each to attend.

The newly formed executive board of Olive Crest Treatment Centers for Abused Children hosted a Black-and-White Ball at the Anaheim Marriott last Saturday to raise funds to help clothe needy youngsters.

Proceeds went to benefit the Clothing Closet, a service that provides nightgowns, robes and underwear for children who come with only the clothes they are wearing.

Olive Crest, founded in 1973, owns and operates 25 family-style homes in Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Proceeds from the $300-per-couple event were estimated at $16,000. Ken and Janice Walker are co-founders of the executive board. Janice served as chairman of Saturday’s ball. LA Rams player David Hill served as master of ceremonies.