SCR Reads Like Playbill of the Western World

About 400 cowboys and cowgirls danced, dined and just plain horsed around at South Coast Repertory’s country-Western-style 15th Annual End of Season Auction and Party on Saturday.

Billed as a “Rootin’ Tootin’ Celebration,” the hoedown included a Wild West Show staged by theater performers, volunteers and staff. The $45-per-person gala raised about $50,000 for SCR’s outreach and education programs.

Western Flavor

Looking like a Wild West town, the theater courtyard was decorated with wagon wheels, a makeshift jail, a clothesline hung with long underwear and other Western props.

A chuck wagon featured specialties from restaurants, wineries and breweries. Among the specialties served at food stations were ravioli in a tomato and mushroom sauce from the Westin South Coast Plaza, lasagna and rotisserie chicken from Il Fornaio Rosticceria, spicy chicken wings from Bangkok Four, locally brewed beers from Heritage Brewing Co. in Dana Point and hot fudge brownies from the Hard Rock Cafe in Newport Beach.

When they weren’t eating, guests fished for prizes at the ol’ fishing hole (the courtyard fountain), danced the “tush push” and other country-Western numbers and mingled with characters from the Old West. Most avoided the undertaker walking around with a tape measure and a snake oil salesman named Dr. A. Orta. SCR supporter Jene Witte drew second looks as Dolly Parton with her “size 44-XX” bust. Witte’s costume was so convincing, her husband, Martin, didn’t recognize her.

“In my secret fantasy I’m Good Golly, Miss Dolly,” she said. “I’m also a strong supporter of the theater. Why else would I come out in a size double-X?”

Country-Western themes have become popular at recent Orange County parties.

“People are trying to get back to their roots,” said Mark Jordan, a committee member who took old-fashioned pictures of party-goers and turned them into buttons. “They feel that country music is a way to do that.”

A Real Hoot

After the reception, the party moved inside the theater for a live auction and Wild West Follies that included the talents of SCR volunteers who overcame their stage fright to perform.

“We roped ‘em in,” explained Barbara Glabman, event chairwoman.

Ilene Spear was enlisted as one of the Buffalo Gals, a dance hall group that included SCR’s Young Conservatory director Diane Doyle, fund-raising consultant Barbara Grady and Susan Reeder, SCR assistant director of development.

“We’re so bad it’s actually fun,” Spear said.

Reeder was also modest about the group’s talents.

“We’re going to make big-time fools of ourselves,” she said.

They need not have worried. When the curtain went up, the women proved themselves charming hoofers in their saloon girl attire.

Steve DeNaut, an SCR actor, kicked off the auction with an imitation of Clint Eastwood.

“If I don’t see a lot of hands I’ll follow you home and shoot you like a dog,” he said in true Clint style.

Those joining in the follies were: Tom Britton, former board president, who teamed up with SCR founding artist Hal Landon Jr. for a recital of cowboy poetry; Olivia Johnson, board member, who belted out “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” accompanied by SCR resident artist John Ellington; SCR founding artist Ron Boussom, who joined Ellington in “Way Out West,” a Laurel and Hardy dance, and auctioneer Randy Johnson.

Other guests were David Emmes, SCR’s producing artistic director; Martin Benson, artistic director; Tom Sutton, board president, and his wife, Marilyn; Gordon and Carol Bowley, Bill and Stephanie Ennis, Robert and Audrey Greenfield, Mark and Kari Jordan, Jim and Frances Kanno, Peter Meyers, Mary Dell Barkouras, Gregory and Kathy Moore and Claire White.