‘Gone With the Wind’ Ball Attracts Attention From Angels of the Arts

Frankly, the Angels of the Arts do give a damn--about going to the “Gone With the Wind” ball April 30 at the home of Willa Dean and Gen. William Lyon in Coto de Caza.

I know. You’ve heard so much lately about the Lyons’ beautiful Tara-esque mansion. But get ready to hear more. If ever there was a stage for society, this is it.

Annually, the Angels of the Arts--100 women who support the Orange County Performing Arts Center by paying $12,500 to join, plus yearly dues of $2,500--toss themselves an upscale blowout. (Part of the joy of being an Angel, after all, is not having to party to raise funds. The pricey dues take care of that.)

A past biggie was a rendezvous in Newport Beach where the Angels alighted from limos to assemble briefly in a mock French-country marketplace, receive appetizers nestled in quaint baskets, and then nibble and sip champagne all the way to the Regency Club in Los Angeles, where they had dinner.

This time, they may arrive in open carriages. Angels president Arden Flamson--wife of Security Pacific Bank Chief Executive Officer Richard Flamson III--says she is “looking into arriving by carriage.” In any case, she plans to “come in costume.”

Dressing a la Scarlett O’Hara at the black-tie affair is optional, implied the voices on the audio cassettes that Angels received two weeks ago. The recorded invitations (party givers take note: there is a trend afoot) began with the dreamy “Tara’s Theme” from “Gone With the Wind.”

And then, Scahhhlett’s and Rhhhhett’s voices were heard inviting Angels to the pahhhhty, and drawlin’ somethin’ like: “Whaa, Rhhhhhettt! The ladies are ahhhrivin’ in costoom!” To which the insouciant Rhett replies: “Frahhnkly Scahhhlett, I don’t give a daahmn!”

But the Angels do. That’s why social chairwoman Donna O’Bryan--who dreamed up the affair--is wearing nothing less than a teal-blue, strapless, satin Scaasi to the party. And socialites Dori de Kruif, Shirlee Guggenheim and Kit Toth are having their ball gowns sewn by Gildas, the Bob Mackie of Newport Beach.

De Kruif’s gown will replicate the lush lines of Scarlett’s memorable burgundy velvet evening dress. But instead of arriving in burgundy velvet, De Kruif, a resident of Harbor Island in Newport Beach, will make her entrance in spun-sugar net (as Gildas called it) smothered with “millions of black velvet polka dots.”

Shirlee Guggenheim of Newport Beach will don the palest lavender on white organza and rustle when she walks. Her white underskirt will be a cloud of taffeta, Gildas said. And her bow bustle will consist of 12 yards of fabric.

Kit Toth of Big Canyon will wear a duplicate of Scarlett’s famous barbecue dress. She has even given Gildas a videotape of “Gone With the Wind” to help him execute the gown. “I’m using the wrong side of a white chintz printed with garlands of ivy,” said Gildas, who has been working feverishly in his Newport Beach atelier since the invitations arrived. “And I’m using 29 yards of straw to make her hat.”

The biggest challenge for Gildas has been whipping up the hoop skirts. He has ordered 48 pounds of flat steel wire from New York to create the hoops that will swing under Toth’s and Guggenheim’s skirts.

Hemingway’s of Corona del Mar will cater the affair, serving delicacies such as roast pork with apples to be eaten beside the Lyons’ glittering pool. Ray Anthony’s orchestra will play for dancing.

And, what are you doing on the 30th?

Guest who’s coming to lunch? When Renee and Henry Segerstrom court King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden at the Center Club in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, the guest list will consist of about 50 members of the royal couple’s entourage, several of Henry and Renee’s family members (including Henry’s mother, Ruth, and his cousin, Harold Segerstrom, co-managing partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, owner of South Coast Plaza) as well as a smattering of politicos, arts folk and local corporate chiefs.

The once-upon-a-time menu is top secret. All Renee will divulge is, “The king has requested an all-California menu.”

Among those on the select list: Orange County Supervisors Harriett M. Wieder and Donald R. Roth (the other three supervisors have previous commitments); Mary Jones, Orange County’s protocol chief; Thomas R. Kendrick, president of the Performing Arts Center; Judy Morr, the center’s general manager; Louis Rosso, president of Beckman Instruments; Albert D. Wheelon, chief executive officer of Hughes Aircraft; Crandall Gudmundson, president of Odetics; Donald R. Beal, chief executive officer of Rockwell International; Roger Johnson, chief executive officer of Western Digital, and Werner Escher, director of public affairs and community relations for C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, luncheon emcee.