A Quizzical Look at O.C. Social Scene

Toss aside those crossword puzzles.

Time to play Orange County Society Trivia Quiz ‘91, a challenge for even the most determined social climber.

If you get all 20 correct, bravo! You understand the significance of the social scene (with its power-schmoozing and fund raising, it’s where almost everything--politics, business, the arts--begins).

If you get 15 correct, congrats, you’re still on the upside of hip.

But if you score 10 or below, it’s time to wake up and smell the decaffeinated espresso. With a year buzzing with big names and causes, the Orange County social scene was worth tracking.

Herewith, the trivial proof:

1. There was one major snafu in the otherwise lovely “Starlight Expressions” black-tie gala in Segerstrom Hall that celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Orange County Performing Arts Center:

a) The tablecloths were too small.

b) A guest arrived wearing bib overalls.

c) Entertainer Ann Jillian hogged the show, leaving co-star Ben Vereen with a quickie-act.

2. During his remarks to the decked-out guests at “Starlight Expressions,” Center Board Chairman William Lyon (one of Southern California’s leading home builders) called Gov. Pete Wilson:

a) “A party animal”

b) “Barbara Bush”

c) “The mother of all tax increases”

3. Many of the guests at the annual holiday Candlelight Concert staged by the Center at the Hyatt Regency Irvine were disgruntled because:

a) They wanted more Christmas carols, fewer jazz classics.

b) Performer Steve Allen had a cold.

c) There were only two Christmas trees in the ballroom.

4. When the Center staged its annual Guilds fashion show, members of the audience reeled when they saw:

a) Center President Thomas Kendrick demonstrating martial arts.

b) A scantily clad man and woman engaged in an erotic pas de deux.

c) A model in a poorly fitted dress.

5. While Jack Jones was singing on stage during a concert sponsored by the Pacific Symphony orchestra, his wife sat in Segerstrom Hall with what in her lap?

a) An afghan

b) The couple’s new baby

c) A portable phone

6. When actor/musician Dudley Moore played piano recently at the Emerald Bay home of Al and Deeann Baldwin, a woman kept crying out:

a) “You think Bo Derek is a 10!”

b) “What’s your phone number?”

c) “Play Bolerrrrro!”

7. South Coast Plaza, models wore millions of dollars in diamonds displayed on costumes that made them all look like:

a) Zsa Zsa Gabor

b) Poodles

c) Panthers

8. After Placido Domingo closed in “The Girl of the Golden West” at Segerstrom Hall, he rendezvoused with local opera buffs for a midnight supper at what Newport Beach restaurant?

a) The Crab Cooker

b) What’s Cooking?

c) The Ritz

9. After Itzhak Perlman performed in Segerstrom Hall, Erich Vollmer--executive director of the Orange County Philharmonic Society--presented him with what special treat during a party at the Four Seasons Hotel?

a) Beluga caviar

b) An ice cream cone

c) A violin by Stradivarius

(Bonus points if you remember Perlman saying this about the impending Persian Gulf War: “I am just hoping that we (Israel) don’t have to go to war. This is going to really be horrendous. Who knows what is going to happen?”)

10. When international socialite Betsy Bloomingdale talked about “Style: Everyone Has It, Anyone Can Get It” during a lecture in Newport Beach, she said the secret to style was:

a) “Having more money than you can count.”

b) “It isn’t what you wear; it’s how you wear it.”

c) “Coordinating your makeup with the color of your car.”

11. When celebrity Ed McMahon learned that he would receive the Bon Vivant Award from Henry Schielein, vice president of the Ritz-Carlton, he asked a friend what bon vivant meant. “Good-liver,” he said.

McMahon replied:

a) “Thank God I’ve got a good liver.”

b) “I wish I could speak a foreign language.”

c) “Here’s Johnny!”

12. When Kitty Kelley’s book about Nancy Reagan came out last spring, how did local movers and shakers react?

a) They clamored for copies, saying “it’s about time someone told the truth.”

b) They gave it the cold shoulder.

c) They invited Kelley to the Orangewood Ball.

13. Heiress Joan Irvine Smith said she would increase the purse at her annual Oaks Classic by $50,000 if:

a) Donald Bren ponied up the money she said he owed her by May 31.

b) If her horse, Last Laugh, won the Kentucky Derby.

c) If her horse, MasterCharge, won the Preakness.

14. After his performance at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, “The Phantom of the Opera” star Michael Crawford was greeted by:

a) Phantom co-star Dale Kristien

b) Public relations whiz Frank Groff

c) Jim and Barbara Glabman

d) All of the above

15. When George Argyros outbid guests at the Master Chorale auction, he won the chance for his wife, Judie, to:

a) Appear in a South Coast Repertory production of “A Christmas Carol.”

b) Attend a “Save Venice” party in Italy.

c) Conduct the Master Chorale in the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

16. When the L.A. Rams booster club visited New Orleans to cheer the team, members sang what song when they marched through the French Quarter?

a) “Georgia on My Mind”

b) “When the Rams Go Marching In”

c) “Enough Is Enough”

17. When Jihan Sadat--widow of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat--attended a private luncheon at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, hamburger mogul Carl Karcher gave her:

a) A bag of fries

b) A coupon for a free Santa Fe Chicken sandwich

c) His autograph

18. Which celebrity phoned Bill Magnuson (owner of Gustaf Anders restaurant) from his car, thanking him for his hospitality earlier that evening?

a) Joey Bishop

b) Patrick Swayze

c) Roseanne Arnold

19. When George Burns dined at the Center Club before performing at the Center on behalf of Children’s Hospital of Orange County, what did he say was the secret to longevity?

a) “Smoking El Producto cigars.”

b) “Fall in love with what you do for a living.”

c) “If you wanna lose weight, don’t put it on the plate.”

20. Television personality Vanna White, a guest of opera buff Richard Engel, attended a Center Club party preceding a performance of “A Masked Ball” in Segerstrom Hall. White told guests she wanted to learn about opera because:

a) Someday she hopes to play the lead in “Madama Butterfly.”

b) She loves to sing in the shower.

c) It’s one of husband George Santo Pietro’s “favorite things.”

The Answers: 1. C; 2. C; 3. A; 4. B; 5. C; 6. C; 7. C; 8. B; 9. B; 10. B; 11. A; 12. B; 13. A; 14. D; 15. C; 16. B; 17. B; 18. B; 19. B; 20. C.