Music Center Donors See Hawaii in the Future

The Music Center has found a way to thank its most generous supporters--and it’s not a tote bag or a commemorative coffee mug. It’s a luxury weekend in Hawaii at The Lodge at Koele, David Murdock’s new resort that combines European appointments with more traditional tropical charms.

A small group of donors braved stiff rain Saturday night and drove to Thousand Oaks for dinner at the just-opened Sherwood Country Club, also owned by Murdock.

He and Arianna Stassinopoulous Huffington hosted the evening, which also featured the informal rehearsal for a talent night to be presented Feb. 16-19 at The Lodge.

And what heretofore unsuspected talents will Music Center supporters be unveiling? “Applauding. That’s it, applauding,” said Esther Wachtell firmly.

But others promised more. Beverly Grundhofer brought sheet music and planned to play “Moon River,” while Huffington said she would offer dramatic readings from George Bernard Shaw’s “The Apple Cart” and Mark Twain’s “The Diary of Adam and Eve.”

Some people in the business of performing will be along for the trip, too: actors Jane Alexander, Peter Strauss and Michael York will provide as-yet undecided entertainment. Writer Sidney Sheldon also will give a speech.

Then there was Jon Bauman, out of his “Sha Na Na” greaser persona, confiding he would perform a classical selection: “Hey, I don’t want to be the only one embarrassing myself. What are these other people going to do?”

For the answer to that, we’ll have to wait until the Music Center supporters return from Hawaii next month.