Social Circuits

Israel Philharmonic

Dennis Tito, the former rocket scientist turned mega-entrepreneur/space tourist, opened his hilltop home in the Pacific Palisades for “A Musical Evening of Dreams,” sponsored by the West Coast Chairmen’s Council of American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

The posh black-tie soiree honored Zubin Mehta, who is celebrating his 40th year as the orchestra’s conductor, and featured two of its virtuoso graduates, violinist Pinchas Zukerman and pianist Marc Neikrug.

The opulent furnishings in Tito’s living room were replaced with gilt ballroom chairs for the Dec. 12 event. With a gigantic Christmas tree glistening in the corner, the evening began with a candle-lighting observance of the fourth night of Hanukkah, followed by a performance of works by Schumann, Schubert and Foulds.

Following the musicale, guests were led to the tented terrace, where they dined on caterer Gai Klass’ ravioli with pumpkin and mascarpone, rack of lamb, pan-seared sea bass, pear sorbet and warm sticky chocolate pudding, all complemented with wines donated by Far Niente.

The evening drew 75 guests (tickets were $5,000 per person) and raised more than $500,000 for the orchestra, which has been instrument-challenged in recent years.

“About half of our musicians are from the ex-Soviet Union,” Mehta said. “Kids that are so talented that both the men and women are winning every audition. They come with a great tradition, great fingers and schooling, but they have no fiddles to play on. We are now realizing the fruits of the instrument fund established by Suzanne Ponsot [executive director of American Friends.] We recently bought a magnificent violin for our 21-year-old concertmaster, who came from Siberia.”

The events of Sept. 11 haven’t discouraged Israeli concertgoers, Mehta said. “When we performed Beethoven’s ‘Fidelio,’ every performance was sold out.” Even Ariel Sharon and his bodyguards slipped in unrecognized at the last moment to hear the final performance from the back of the balcony.

“There is incredible enthusiasm for music in Israel. To them it isn’t just an evening’s entertainment. They cannot live without music and the few hours of peace it brings,” Mehta said.

Those at the event included Ruth and Charles Gold, Annette and Peter O’Malley, Barbara and Robert Fremont, Anne and Howard Gottlieb, Sandy and Vin Scully, Ginny Mancini, Sandy Krause and Bill Fitzgerald, Marjorie and Harold Victor, Karen Winnick, Miriam Wosok, Donna and Lalo Schifrin, Daphna and Richard Ziman, Gayle and Jeffrey Rosenthal, Marjorie Fasman, Alyce Williamson, Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer and Mel Keefer, Leah Superstein, Rita Spiegel and Joan and John Hotchkis.

-- Patt Diroll

Ballet ... and Fries

The American Ballet Theatre brought its interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday confection, “The Nutcracker,” featuring Julie Kent, Jose Manuel Carreno, Anne Milewski and Sean Stewart, to Hollywood & Highland last weekend for a Family Day to benefit the ballet.

The festivities started with a pre-matinee luncheon in the Ballroom with dual buffets--a kid-friendly array of hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, fish sticks and fries in addition to an assortment of Wolfgang Puck’s designer salads for adults. ABT trustee Nancy Marks and her co-chairwomen, Cindy Crawford, Kelly Chapman Meyer and Lori Milken, organized a variety of activities for the small fry. Dance lessons were offered by ABT dancers, while committee members manned a cookie-decorating station, a beaded jewelry workshop and a photo session with cast members until curtain time. After a quick cleanup of sticky faces and fingers, all trooped over to the new Kodak Theatre.

Spotted in the crowd were the Norman Lear and Rob Reiner clans; Cynthia Sikes, Bridget Martens, Caroline and Chris O’Donnell, Carol Weisman, Jennifer Todd, choreographer Kevin McKenzie and ABT executive director Wallace Chappell. Support for the benefit, which raised more than $250,000 for the company’s education and outreach programs, was provided by the Milken Family Foundation.

The ABT’s engagement at the Kodak Theatre, which concludes with a matinee and evening performance today, has been underwritten by Roberta and Howard Ahmanson.

-- P.D.

Coming Up:

* The Associates of the Westside Center for Independent Living will sponsor their 2002 theater benefit event, “Aida,” on Jan. 4 at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets $200. For more information, call (310) 568-0107, Ext. 124.

* Los Angeles Opera’s On Stage Gala with Placido Domingo and Friends, a performance of zarzuela and Viennese operetta selections, is set for Jan. 6, at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Tickets $1,500. Call (213) 972-3027.

* The Los Angeles premiere of the film “The Dancer Upstairs,” directed by John Malkovich, Jan. 24 at Hollywood & Highland, will benefit Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Tickets $1,000. Call (323) 692-7258.

* Bet Tzedek, the House of Justice, will honor Jay S. Wintrob and Harry Pregerson at its 2002 Dinner Gala to be held Jan. 26 in the Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. Tickets $300. For additional information, call (323) 549-5831.

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Information for Social Circuits can be directed to Patt Diroll in Los Angeles or Ann Conway in Orange County. Diroll is at patt diroll@earthlink.net; Conway is at ann.conway@latimes.com, or (714) 966-5952.