Hooray for Hollywood

In a spirited song-and-dance revue, students from Chapman University’s music and drama departments played to a 750-strong crowd at its 20th annual American Celebration.

Staged in an auditorium on the Orange campus, the 45-minute “From Broadway to Hollywood” show included a tribute to super-legend Judy Garland and scenes from “The Lion King.”

Afterward, guests filed into a tent to hear Nell Carter sing “God Bless America” before they dined on sea bass, lamb chops and chocolate-cinnamon apple strudel.

Also on the agenda at the benefit last weekend that grossed $770,000 for student scholarships: an awards ceremony where David W. Wilson, chief executive of Wilson Automotive Group, was named the university’s Outstanding Corporate Citizen, and actor Anthony Michael Hall received its Stewardship Award.

Actor-dancer Gregory Hines, who was unable to attend the gala, was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. Dotti Stillwell of Newport Beach was chairwoman.

Frette Fete

Not only is the luxury Italian linen house Frette helping to underwrite the Orange County Museum of Art’s annual Art of Dining, it hosted a luncheon and fashion show for the benefit committee Nov. 8 at its new South Coast Plaza boutique in Costa Mesa.

About 50 women viewed a parade of Frette’s sleek home wear before dining on stuffed chicken at tables crowned with rose bouquets.

On view from creative director Christina Azario: stream-lined silk palazzos, mink-lined mules and tailored silk robes in shades of cream and black cherry.

Art of Dining Chairwoman Donna Phelps hopes to raise upward of $500,000 at the annual spring gourmet fest, which features cuisine prepared by chefs from around the world.

A.C.

Kudos for Giving

Merlin Sant, 97, and wife Edna, 96, of Laguna Woods, were named Philanthropists of the Year at a benefit that netted $55,000 for Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills.

Also recognized during the Nov. 7 event at the Hyatt Regency Irvine were Susan L. Fitch, Jerald R. Stafford and Thomas E. Beckwith.

The Sants, who have been married 75 years, donate to more than 150 charities. “Their steadfast devotion . . . makes them truly worthy of this distinction,” said Nolan Draney, president of the Saddleback Memorial Foundation.

A.C.