In the Spirit of Giving : In ‘Carol’ Tradition, SCR Honors Arts Supporter’s Generosity

Scrooge (actor Hal Landon Jr.) wasn’t the only one thinking about the meaning of generosity at a recent performance of “A Christmas Carol” at South Coast Repertory.

Upon receiving a crystal sculpture from SCR producing director David Emmes in recognition of his support of the arts, Kazuo Sonoguchi--president of Mazda Motors of America, Inc.--told guests at a post-performance reception: “This play and especially the character of Scrooge have special meaning for me. When I was with Mazda in Detroit, my subordinates said I was demanding and greedy. They called me Scrooge! Then I came to Orange County and was transformed.”

Before the performance, guests at the Sonoguchi tribute, which was sponsored by SCR and the Japan Business Assn., mingled al fresco at a reception catered by the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel.

Guests also included SCR board president Hal Schulz; Ryozo Yanagiuchi, vice president of Matsushita Electric Corp. of America and chairman of the Japan Business Assn.; Jim Clough, assistant vice president of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro (who helped organize the tribute with partner Henry Ota) and Ron Hartwig, executive vice president and general manager of Hill & Knowlton.

Speaking of Hal Landon Jr.: The SCR founding actor and his wife, Janice, will join theater buffs beginning Tuesday for a one-week tour of London that will include orchestra seats to four shows and excursions to Stratford-Upon-Avon and Windsor Castle. The group will ring in the New Year from Trafalgar Square.

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Opera Pacific boat parade bash: Three support groups of Opera Pacific--the Gourmet Diners’ Guild, the Opera League of Laguna Beach and the South Coast Guild--joined forces at Bistro 201 (now by the bay in Newport Beach, instead of near the freeway in Irvine) on Saturday for the opening of the Newport Beach Christmas boat parade.

Dinner choices at the $80-per-person bash were salmon in potato crust served up with mushrooms, artichokes and asparagus or rack of lamb presented on polenta with rosemary and mint au jus.

When guests weren’t licking their fingers, they were viewing one of the area’s prettiest holiday parades or dancing to the big band sounds of Tracy Wells and his orchestra.

Event co-chairs were Joan Simonoff, Liz Sliepka, Carolyn Klein and Barbara Roberts. Underwriters were Jim Baker, Connie Morthland, Colin Slim and Eugenia Thompson.

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Women who dare: Invitations are in the mail for the “Women Who Dare” benefit luncheon Jan. 17 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine that will feature Ivana Trump as guest speaker.

Sponsored by the Big Canyon/Spyglass Hill committee of the Orange County Philharmonic Society, the event is being supported by bachelor/philanthropist-about-town Mark Johnson of Tustin and mega-givers Judie and George Argyros of Newport Beach.

For a $10,000 donation to this affair, you get 10 tickets at Trump’s table and the chance to schmooze with her at a special underwriters’ reception.

Included in the invitation are grand prize drawing tickets that can be purchased for $10 each or three for $25. (Prizes include Trump’s personal evening bag.) General seating is $75 a ticket. For information, call (714) 553-2422.