Tune Puts a Happy Face on Party Guests

Broadway star Tommy Tune charmed Orange County theatergoers both on and off the stage Tuesday as Orange County bid hello to “Bye Bye Birdie.”

After a high-energy opening-night performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, a gracious Tune and other members of the cast and crew turned up at Trattoria Spiga in South Coast Plaza’s Crystal Court to greet about 125 well-wishers and enjoy Italian food.

Larger Than Life

Instead of the crayon-colored suits he sported in the ‘50s musical, Tune showed up at the

party dressed in black and wearing gold boots with two-inch heels--a sign that the 6-foot, 6-inch performer is not at all self-conscious about his height.

“I love the crowds in Orange County,” Tune said. “The fact that these people came together to build this great center shows how much they love theater.”

The lanky choreographer/

director/performer has performed at the Center twice before--once to star in “My One and Only,” the Broadway musical for which he received two of his nine Tony awards, and once to deliver a solo musical performance.

“The third time’s the charm,” Tune said.

“Bye Bye Birdie” won a 1961 Tony Award for Best Musical for its spoof of an Elvis Presley-type rock ‘n’ roller named Conrad Birdie and his manager Albert Peterson (Tune), who concocts a publicity scheme based on Birdie’s upcoming Army duty and a posse of hysterical teen-agers.

“This show is so completely corny,” Tune said. “It’s lighthearted and a lot of fun--the right show for this moment in our history.”

Happy Faces

“Bye Bye Birdie’s” campy tone and well-loved show tunes such as “Put on a Happy Face” won kudos from party-goers.

“You couldn’t not have fun tonight,” said Judy Morr, general manager of the Center.

“The music made you feel good,” said Carol Lindstrom, whose husband, Greg, serves on the Center’s board. She looked on with amusement as Greg had his picture taken with Tune.

“They think he looks like Tommy--minus about four inches,” she said laughing. “I think Greg’s cuter.”

Fiona Petersen, chairwoman of the Guilds for the Center, took a special interest in the production.

“My son’s school is putting on ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ this summer, and he’s going to try out for it,” said Petersen, with son David and daughter Katherine in tow.

Guests got to rub elbows with the cast as everyone sampled an Italian buffet that included pizza, penne all’ arrabbiata (tube-shaped pasta in a spicy red sauce) and a massive tiramisu cake with a “Welcome Bye Bye Birdie” inscription.

Among the guests were cast members Lenora Nemetz (Rose Alvarez), Marilyn Cooper (Mae Peterson) and Susan Egan (Kim Macafee), and playgoers Jamie Baugh, Richard Bryant, Allan Fainbarg, Richard and Jolene Engel, Rich Hamill, Thomas Kendrick, Mike Noonan, Pete Nordstrom, Robert O’Hill, Harold Schultz, Henry Segerstrom, Tim Strader and Tim Weiss.

Anka Appearance

Tommy Tune wasn’t the only major musical talent to sample Orange County’s hospitality this week.

Singer/songwriter Paul Anka, who has about 700 songs to his credit, including the theme for “The Tonight Show,” sang a medley of his songs spanning three decades at the Performing Arts Center on Thursday and Friday. The Anka concerts were part of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s Pop Series.

After the show, 65 Anka fans and symphony supporters adjourned to the nearby Center Club to sip coffee, nibble rich desserts and sing Anka’s praises.

His Way

Anka’s songs have been recorded by top artists such as Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. One of his enduring songs, “My Way,” adapted from a French ballad, has been recorded by Sinatra, Elvis Presley and even Sex Pistols punk vocalist Sid Vicious.

Anka delighted the audience with his wit and warmth. He sang “Time of Your Life” while clips from his far-ranging career and pictures of his five daughters showed on a wide screen. After jokingly bemoaning the fact that he had no sons, Anka delivered an exaggerated imitation of Tom Jones’ hip-swiveling dance moves and quipped, “Perhaps if I’d done that I would have had a boy.”

“He has such a wonderful warm personality,” said Marcy Mulville, chairwoman of the Pacific Symphony Assn. board of directors.

“His values come out when he sings,” she said.

The party-goers later learned that Anka could not attend the party--he’d been called away on a family emergency, which explained his lack of an encore at the concert even though the audience was on its feet clapping and hollering for more.

Time of Their Lives

Jan Westberg was one of those disappointed fans. She showed up to the party toting two vintage Paul Anka records under her arm hoping for an autograph. She planned to attend the second show the following night.

“I’ll be in the third row so he can sweat on me,” she joked.

Louis Spisto, executive director of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, said the orchestra loved working with the star.

“We knew he would be terrific,” Spisto said. “First and foremost, he’s a musician. His arrangements are all first-rate. He’s also a very warm and special guy who’s a delight to work with.”

Among the guests were Graham and Margaret Austin, Robert and LaVerne Francis, Dave and Susan Gerke, Roger Hughes and Brenda Slater, Mac McCormick and Irene Linduski, Bob and Lee Mooney, Dennis and Tami Parrott, Phil and Beth Schimmel and Vicki Wigginton.

* MY, MY BIRDIE!: Jan Herman’s review of “Bye Bye Birdie.” F2