After 17 Years, the Stage Still Strikes Volunteer Actor’s Fancy

Claire Dunkel may be 76, but she has no intention of giving up the stage anytime soon.

She is a member of the Nine O’Clock Players, an auxiliary of the Assistance League of Southern California, a volunteer theater troupe that performs for mentally and physically challenged children and inner-city youth.

“It’s a lot more fun than sitting around playing bridge because you are contributing to the community,” the longtime Hollywood Hills resident said.

Dunkel grew up in Pasadena and attended Westlake School for Girls. When she was a high school student, she performed in a few plays before she graduated and was accepted into the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse. There, she studied every phase of the theater from lighting to set design to box office operations.

“I was interested in the theater since I was a kid,” she said. “And, the Playhouse was (near my house).”

She married and had one child, all the while continuing to act in theater and do radio work. For about 40 years, she did voice-overs for radio commercials and acted in numerous stage productions including “The Warrior’s Husband” and “The Guardsman.”

Dunkel began volunteering with the Nine O’Clock Players 17 years ago and has appeared in every show since then, with the exception of one. Countless hours of rehearsals, curtain calls and performances haven’t spoiled her enthusiasm.

“I have really enjoyed it,” she said. “Our volunteer work is the satisfaction. This is one group who is very unusual because (we share) the love of the theater.”

Audiences can see Dunkel, who is starring as the North Wind character, in a new version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s “The Secret Garden.”

The play chronicles the childhood trials and tribulations of an orphaned girl who moves to her uncle’s Yorkshire home and discovers a secret garden. Weekend performances are at 2 p.m. through March 28. Tickets are $6. Proceeds benefit the Assistance League of Southern California. For more information, call (213) 469-1970.

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Paul Phillips has been awarded the Dr. J. Vernon Luck Sr. Award for his continuing devotion to treating the crippled children of Mexicali, Mexico.

The Westchester physician received the award at the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital’s third annual International Children’s Program Awards Banquet last month at the Dodger Stadium Club.

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The Los Angeles Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America awarded its 1993 Health Care Industry Distinguished Citizen Award to Richard Eamer, chairman and chief executive officer of Santa Monica-based National Medical Enterprises Inc.

Eamer, who was recognized for his philanthropic work to assist America’s youth and senior citizens, was honored at a luncheon in January at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City.

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The Academic Booster Club of Westchester High School has received a donation of $5,000 from the Fritz B. Burns Foundation.

The funds will be used to buy computers. The foundation has made a similar gift for the last seven years.

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The Santa Monica Family YMCA recently installed Paul Leoni( as president of the board of directors.

Leoni, owner and manager of Patton’s Pharmacy in Santa Monica, is a graduate of the USC School of Pharmacy. He has been a member of the advisory board and board of directors for several years.

Other newly installed officers are Richard Lawrence, William Crookston, Gwen Pentecost and John McIntire.

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The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce had its annual Honorary Mayor’s Ball last night at the Bel Air Country Club in Bel-Air.

Consumer reporter and Brentwood resident David Horowitz was installed as honorary mayor. The Rev. Charles Shields of Brentwood Presbyterian Church and Rabbi Allen Freehling of University Synagogue were honored as citizens of the year.

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