Orpheum Reopens

The Orpheum Theatre, the venerable vaudeville palace that once featured Will Rogers, Sally Rand, Sophie Tucker and Jack Benny (who, between performances, wooed Mary Livingstone, a lingerie salesgirl at the May Co. across the street), has been reopened after a $3-million face lift.

The grand old lady at 842 S. Broadway--age 75--was rejuvenated by Steve Needleman, whose family has owned the property since 1964. The face lift, begun in January, was unveiled last weekend with Swinging at the Orpheum, a gala dance party to benefit the nonprofit Los Angeles Conservancy. The event, with 525 guests, raised more than $135,000 for the preservation group.

Before the renovation, the 2,000-plus-seat theater had become a first-run movie house. Now, Needleman says that “the doors are open” for all types of gatherings and shows that require a large venue.

Among its features: a grand and movable mighty Wurlitzer organ; new orchestra pit and seating; refurbished dressing rooms and restrooms; air conditioning; and, for the first time since World War II, the original rooftop sign is lighted.

Donna and John Crean, active in the effort to revitalize the theater district, were benefit sponsors. Conservancy stalwarts, including George Takei and Marge Fasman, shared their recollections. “My dad knew I loved to perform and took me on the streetcar to see something called ‘vaudeville’ because it was going out of fashion,” Takei recalled. Fasman fondly remembered the saltwater taffy man outside the theater. “Downtown was so beautiful then,” she said. “And it can be again!”

Among those at the party: Diane Keaton, Christy and Steve McAvoy, Maxine Greenspan, Linda Dishman, Nancy Jarzynko, Eileen and Dick Garson, Alan Abshez, Margaret Bach, Ron Meyer, Jennifer and Michael Saltzman, Frank and Helen Pekny, Blossom and Bob Uyeda and L.A. City Council members Jan Perry and Eric Garcetti.

Patt Diroll

Cattle Baron’s Ball

Sporting stylish western duds, cowpokes and cowgirls bellied up to the third annual Cattle Baron’s Ball, netting $500,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Modeled after the Texas fund-raiser by the same name, the “Dancin’ on the Dunes”-themed gala in Newport Beach featured a barbecue, live band, pig races, shopping at a general store and silent and live auctions.

“I love this party because it has something for everyone,” said Bobbitt Williams, president of the Cattle Baron’s League, a support group of the society’s Orange County chapter.

About 850 people attended last weekend’s event at Newport Dunes where tables were bedecked with bouquets of yellow roses and the league’s signature wooden cowboy sculptures.

Joyce Weiss and Donna Bianchi were event co-chairwomen.

Ann Conway

Saluting Leadership

More than 300 guests attended the seventh annual March of Dimes’ Excellence in Leadership Gala, raising $140,000 for the fight against infant birth defects, prematurity and mortality.

During the Oct. 18 festivities at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, M. Douglas Cunningham was presented with the organization’s Jonas Salk Excellence in Medicine Award for his contributions to the neonatal-perinatal field.

Also recognized for leadership in the fight to save infants were Joe E. Kiani, Tim Smith and Alex Stenzler. Deborah Harrington was event chairwoman.

A.C.

Eli Broad Honored

Los Angeles philanthropist Eli Broad was honored for his commitment to improving urban K-12 public schools in Los Angeles at Teach for America’s inaugural Educational Leadership Award dinner Monday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. The evening was the grand finale of the fifth annual Teach for America Week during which community leaders and celebrities taught in L.A.’s low-income schools.

Baskets of polished red apples decorated tables at the event, which raised more than $400,000 and drew 625 guests, including director Lawrence Kasdan and Sherry Lansing, Paramount Pictures studio chief and a former teacher.

Among others there: Fred Stern, Teach for America’s board chairman; Elisabeth Shue, Amy Brenneman, Peter Horton, Alfre Woodard, Antonio Villaraigosa and Morgan Freeman, who emceed the event.

Lansing, Ron Burkle, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Barry Munitz and Nancy and Dick Riordan were event co-chairs; Ruth Bloom, Harriett Gold, Mark Gordon and benefit chair Judith Parker.

The real stars of the show were the remarkable teachers. Among them: Diane Robinson, Priscilla Forsyth, Jessica Simmons, David Carr, Kevin Sved, Johnathan Williams and Mark Swinton.

P.D.

Opera Awards

Marta Domingo had a triple cause for celebration on the opening night of L.A. Opera’s production of “La Traviata.”

Her direction of Verdi’s popular old warhorse not only earned a standing ovation, but she also was one of three honorees at the annual Placido Domingo Awards Dinner sponsored by Hispanics for L.A. Opera held in the Grand Hall following the performance. As if that weren’t enough, while husband Placido was wielding the baton during the opera’s first act, Marta received a phone call backstage that their first granddaughter had been born in Florida.

The award, which recognizes individuals of Hispanic heritage for their contributions to L.A. Opera, also honored Ana Maria Martinez, who stars as Violetta in “La Traviata” and international opera benefactor Alberto Vilar.

More than 400 first-nighters attended the late evening supper catered by Patina. Spotted in the crowd: Alicia and Ed Clark, who founded the organization in 1991; Ava and Marc Stern; Dolores Elena Richardson, president; Elba Bautista Smith, event chairwoman; Lisa and Alan Baker; Tara Colburn; Orlando Ortega; and Dennis Tito.

P.D.

Williamson Honored

Ruth Williamson, medical director of Pasadena’s Huntington Hospital Radiation Oncology Department, was in the spotlight last week at a benefit evening sponsored by the Circle of Huntington Hospital.

Staged after hours at Saks Fifth Avenue Pasadena to benefit Huntington Hill Breast Center, the event drew 240 guests, including David Faddis, Huntington chief of staff, who paid tribute to Williamson’s compassion and professionalism. “Dr. Ruth keeps us honest,” he said. “If a treatment option is not consistent with the very best and newest available, it won’t get past her. She gives extraordinary care.” Beyond her clinical role in therapy, she says a sense of humor helps “When a patient calls me ‘Dr. Ruth,’ I warn her that I might start asking very personal questions.”

The event raised more than $97,000.

P.D.

Java and Compassion

Steamin’ java, fruit kebabs and an assortment of pastries were on the menu at the Breakfast for Hope sponsored by the Orange County Chapter of Cure Autism Now.

Gathered at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, 130 guests heard CAN founders Jonathan Shestack and his wife, Portia Iversen, talk about the need for autism research. “When our son was diagnosed, the doctor told us there was nothing we could do and to just hold on to each other and move on with our lives,” Shestack said.

Since the couple founded CAN in 1996, more than $10 million has been raised. Cash and pledges from the Oct. 18 breakfast amounted to $75,000. Attendees included Andrew Kilbride, Josh Nolan, Glen and Lisa Ackerman, Diane Adams, Lauren Ballantyne, Tammie Beckstead and Lea Inouye.

A.C.

Coming up:

* The Alliance for Children’s Rights will honor Jeff Zucker, president of NBC Entertainment, at its annual dinner, Monday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Tickets are $300. Call (213) 368-6010.

* The Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women presents Classic Cars Under the Stars, two cocktail receptions to benefit its programs; on Thursday in Brentwood and Saturday in Arcadia. Tickets are $100 for one event, $150 for both. (213) 482-1834.

* The Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles will honor author Sidney Sheldon with its Lifetime Achievement Award on Friday at the Universal City Hilton, Universal City. Tickets are $100-$200. Call (213) 237-6643.

* The Los Angeles Master Chorale will honor Peter Mullin, chairman of the Music Center Foundation, at its Emerald Ball on Saturday at the California Club. Tickets are $375. Call (213) 972-3114.

* Elle Decor stages its Dining by Design gala to benefit the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) at Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Airport Nov. 5. Gala tickets are $1,000. Call (310) 652-6601.

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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 pattdiroll@earthlink.net; Conway is at ann.conway@latimes.com, or (714) 966-5952.