Hamming It Up for CHOC

The event: CHOC Follies IV, which featured Orange County movers and shakers in an original musical at the former El Toro Marine Air Corps Station theater. Three performances, held Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening, raised funds for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County Foundation.

Star quality: About 130 local community leaders, CHOC supporters and would-be thespians showed off their singing and dancing abilities in a campy show called “Fabulous Fables and Twisted Tales.”

“Everyone’s very nervous in the beginning. It’s amazing they’re willing to do this,” said Leslie Cancellieri, event co-chairwoman, who played Olive Oyl.

They portrayed characters from Mother Goose--including the Big Bad Wolf (Rick Reiff in shades, pointed ears and furry tail) who got the crowd clapping and dancing in the aisles to Michael Jackson’s “Bad.”

The cast poked fun at themselves and hot Orange County issues such as toll roads and the proposed airport: “We have a vested interest in the relocation of the storks’ landing strip,” joked Homer Hare (Tim White).

Let’s stage a show: Gloria Zigner, executive producer, came up with the idea to stage a musical that would draw support for CHOC.

She also spearheaded efforts to restore the 1,200-seat theater, built for USO shows during World War II, to accommodate the large Follies audiences (about 2,700 saw this year’s performances).

People come to cheer on their friends and family members and support CHOC, Zigner said.

Quote: “CHOC doesn’t turn any children away regardless of whether or not they have health insurance,” said Cancellieri, whose 25-year-old son, Randy, underwent neurosurgery at CHOC when he was 3 months old. “I can’t think of a more worthwhile cause than helping sick and dying children.”

Faces: Kimberly Chavalas Cripe, president and CEO of CHOC; Michael Cipolla, event co-chairman; Doug Austin, music director; Aissa Wayne; John and Donna Crean; Sandra Segerstrom Daniels; Mia Maffei; Sarah Corrigan; Rich Wordes; Tom Berndt; Kathleen Duffy; and Barbara Attell.

Bottom line: The Follies were expected to net about $250,000; proceeds will go to CHOC’s general fund.

What’s Ahead: The Los Ninos Guild of the CHOC Foundation will stage a luncheon and musical featuring the Paul McNeff Singers at 11 a.m. April 20, at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. Call (949) 366-0563.