Gala Is Anything but a Drag

Who needs martinis when you can drink in the sight of fun-loving Lady Chablis?

Supporters of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County got to do both Tuesday at “Martinis in the Garden of Good and Olives”--the inaugural benefit for the society’s Eclectic Orange Festival.

Gathered at Diva restaurant in Costa Mesa, about 150 guests sipped Pearl Vodka martinis and rubbed elbows with Chablis, the drag queen from Savannah featured in John Berendt’s sultry bestseller, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”

It was all a prelude to the festival performance on Wednesday of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” a jazz concert featuring Chablis and singer Margaret Whiting at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Sporting a scarlet gown and clutching a bunch of long-stem red roses, Chablis wended her way through the crush, signing autographs and thrilling guests with her deadpan remarks. “Honey--such beautiful jewelry you’re wearing,” the throaty-voiced Chablis told Elizabeth Hansen of Newport Beach. “I’m gonna have to be borrowing some from you.”

Hansen appreciated the compliment. “I think Chablis is terrific. I loved her acting in the movie ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.’ And I love her humor--the way she looks at life.”

Second-grade teacher Esther Borah of Fullerton was so taken by Chablis’ movie performance that she visited Savannah with her friends. “We went to all the places she talked about,” Borah said. “What I like about Chablis is that she is a very honest person. She has had a lot of pain and chose to make the most of her life.”

Berendt was also on hand to autograph his famous book, which has recently been published in paperback.

The author credits the book’s ongoing success to its ability to provide “a sense of escape--wherever people are,” he said. “It takes you into this charming, wonderful, mystical world of Savannah.”

It was Whiting who came up with the idea to build a jazz concert themed around the book.

Shortly after “Midnight” was published, she called Berendt and asked if he would allow her and other musicians to create a cabaret show featuring the songs of Savannah native son composer-lyricist Johnny Mercer.

“I knew Johnny,” said Whiting, who attended the party with her husband, show director Jack Wrangler. “He wrote songs like ‘Hooray for Hollywood’ and ‘Too Marvelous for Words,’ with my father, Richard Whiting.”

Party guests also included singer-actress Claiborne Cary, a veteran of the Broadway stage and sister of actress Cloris Leachman. “I really love doing this show,” Cary said as she sipped a martini garnished with a pimiento-stuffed olive. “I never get tired of doing it or hearing it. It’s so groovy--and the musicians are fabulous.”

The society’s inaugural six-week Eclectic Orange Festival--which concludes Tuesday with “King Arthur,” performed by a baroque ensemble at Santa Ana High School Auditorium--has been an overwhelming success, said Dean Corey, executive director.

“It’s expensive to do these concerts; we have to raise a lot of money. But it gives us a special place in the arts scene around the world.”

Corey has already booked performances for next year’s festival, he said. “Someday, this festival will be very unique--like the Salzburg [festival] or better.”

Festival sponsors include Howard and Judith Jelinek; Michael and Sharon McNalley; Jane and Stan Grier; Alan and Phyllis Jacobs; and Bill and Pat Podlich.

A Special Visit

Comedian Steve Martin attended the opening-night performance last week of his play, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by the Laguna Playhouse (through Dec. 5).

Afterward, Martin mingled with the cast and congratulated playhouse director Richard Stein and artistic director Andrew Barnicle on the production.

“It was a thrill--he’s truly a mega-star and a tremendously talented writer whose gifts are rarely seen on stage,” Stein said.

Martin’s play combines “his zany wit with some pretty meaty subject matter,” Stein added. “It’s all about a hypothetical meeting between Einstein and Picasso in a Parisian bar in 1904.”

About 200 supporters of the playhouse gathered for its annual progressive dinner, A Moveable Feast, on Monday at Laguna Beach restaurants.

Net proceeds of $40,000 will be used for theater operations and education programs.

The Laguna Playhouse will present “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams beginning Jan. 6.