Author Coaches ‘Angels’ Angles

When is a cast party a coaching session?

When the play’s author counsels the leading man.

It all happened Wednesday night at Birraporetti’s after the opening of “City of Angels” at the Orange County Performing Arts Center (playing through Nov. 10. Review on F25.)

Huddled in a quiet corner were “Angels” author Larry Gelbart, who also created the “MASH” TV series and wrote the “Oh, God!” and “Tootsie” screenplays, and actor Jeff McCarthy, who plays the sleuth Stone in this ‘40s L.A.-flavored musical.

What was up?

“Mr. Gelbart tells me I was a little too sweet of a person in the play,” said McCarthy, 37, who attended the bash with his wife, Pam.

“He says I have to find the world-weariness of the part,” he said. “It’s an American boy’s fantasy to play this Humphrey Bogart-like character, but it takes some getting used to.”

Gelbart loved the way “Angels” played in Segerstrom Hall, “It’s an experience to see it here,” he said. “You know it’s going to be a big place, and you’re hoping the show is big enough to fill it.”

The buzz during the post-performance bash was that this was a musical with a mind. Keeping up with the plot’s quick changes was no simple task.

“I think this show gives an audience credit for intelligence,” Gelbart said. “Musicals don’t usually ask you to think a lot. That’s not to say the show is that brainy. But it’s very cunningly conceived.”

Also among party-goers were show producers Barry and Fran Weissel, who, besides “Angels,” have brought “Cabaret,” “Gypsy” and “My One and Only” to the Center.

“And in the spring, ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ with Tommy Tune,” Fran Weissel said. We’ll be watching.

More parties: Supporters of the Laguna Art Museum got a head start on Halloween on Sunday when they attended a haunt at 21 Oceanfront restaurant in Newport Beach. Getting most of the laughs was Debi Bremner, who came as an umbrella, spokes in her head and all. Ouch . The event was part of the museum’s annual Perspectives dinner series. . . . Friends of the Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter gathered at the popular Pascal restaurant in Newport Beach on Sunday for the third of their five-part gourmet dinner series. Other dinners, at $75 per person, are scheduled for What’s Cooking restaurant in Newport Beach on Jan. 13 and the Golden Truffle in Costa Mesa on Feb. 5. The Interfaith Shelter provides counseling and temporary shelter for homeless families. . . . On Sunday at the Ritz restaurant in Newport Beach, Fair Share 502--a nonprofit group that provides financial aid for the homeless--staged a wine-tasting and auction of 200 bottles of the grape. Chairman for the event was Glen Dassoff, Fair Share 502 vice president. Proceeds were estimated at $28,000. Among guests were Ritz owner Hans Prager (who donated two Epicurean dinners for 20 people), Five Feet Too owner Michael Kang and Peter Zeugheuser, president of the organization. . . .

Also Sunday: a benefit at Village Crean for the Wellness Community of Santa Ana, a facility providing free emotional support to about 600 cancer patients and their families per month. Carl and Margaret Karcher, event co-chairmen, were awarded the facility’s first Community Service Award. . . . Jean Gaulden--board president of the Luminaires, a support group of the Doheny Eye Institute in Los Angeles--surprised about 300 guests at Sunday night’s “Frontier Frolic” at the Crazy Horse Saloon when she belted out “Digging for Doheny” with the Hard Riders Western Band. “She was terrific,” said Mary Lou Hopkins-Hornsby, a party committee member. Proceeds from the event were $30,000. Barbara Grant and Dana Davis were co-chairmen. . . .

The Performing Arts Fraternity of the Orange County Performing Arts Center had its annual gourmet dinner at the Rex in Fashion Island on Monday night. Hard to believe, but the four-day society weekend has almost become de rigueur for stepping out. There just aren’t enough days in the weekend. . . .

Strokes of genius: The Laguna Art Museum’s 10th annual art auction is scheduled Nov. 16. More than 100 artists--Peter Alexander, Woods Davy, Laddie John Dill and Gifford Meyers among them--are preparing works that will go on the block to support the museum’s art education program for children. . . . On Nov. 17, Trattoria Spiga will open at the Crystal Court with a painting party and dinner. Guests will be invited to paint on canvas during the cocktail hour. Tickets are $35 each, with proceeds benefiting the Artisan Showcase Council of the Newport Harbor Art Museum.