Schooled in Broadway Too

The event: Chapman University’s 16th Annual American Celebration, a dinner and multimedia musical produced and performed by faculty and students. Saturday’s gala paid tribute to Hollywood film producer Gerald Molen.

Off Broadway: This was the first time the event, held previously in hotel ballrooms, was staged at the Orange campus. “We wanted people to come to Chapman. A lot of them don’t know where we are,” said Jim Doti, university president.

Party-goers gathered for an outdoor reception on grounds decorated with stage props that re-created the New York skyline and Central Park--all to get them in the mood for the show, “Broadway Melodies: Salute to the Tonys.”

Dinner took place in a massive tent with huge crystal chandeliers. Party planners were so worried about rain, all 700 guests had an umbrella at their place settings.

Showtime: “These kids put on a show you wouldn’t believe,” said Barry Rodgers, who chaired the event with his wife, Phyllis. The production cleverly mixed musical performances by students with video segments.

While performers proved they could kick up their heels like Radio City Music Hall dancers, Doti proved he could laugh at himself: He starred in a video as “Super President,” able to teach golf, do a multiple-flip dance move and score at roller hockey. He also pretended to field a call from another president, Bill Clinton: “Listen, I’m not upset Chelsea decided not to go to Chapman. . . .”

Molen’s list: Film producer Molen, whose list of credits includes “Schindler’s List,” “Jurassic Park,” “Rain Man” and “Tootsie,” received Chapman’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“This is a phenomenal event for a kid from Montana,” Molen said. “I started out driving a truck in this business, but I had a great attitude.”

Molen had words of encouragement for Chapman students, whom he met on a campus tour last week: “If you have a positive attitude, people around you feel it. That’s the key to success.”

Quote: “Any school today that has a fine arts program is important to all of us. With technology changing so fast, we need young kids to stay up” on changes, Molen said. “The tools are here.”

Hollywood angle: Steven Spielberg purchased a $5,000 table but did not attend. The table was occupied by friends and associates from his DreamWorks company and Molen’s office. Molen said working with Spielberg on “Schindler’s List” was the highlight of his career.

Faces: Ron Thronson, show producer and dean of Chapman’s School of Communication Arts; Doy and Dee Henley; Randall and Cecilia Presley; Betty Jacobson; Barbara Parker; Deborah Sanchez; Jack and Belle Lindquist; and Ron and Gail Soderling.

Bottom line: The $250 event was expected to net about $300,000 for Chapman. Proceeds will go to student scholarships.