Social Circuits

Some philanthropic events were postponed or canceled entirely last week. Others went on in modified form; in some cases it was announced that proceeds would be shared with disaster relief organizations.

South Coast Rep Season Opener

American flags waved in table centerpieces and theater buffs sported elaborate masks at an outdoor gala celebrating South Coast Repertory’s 38th season. The Shakespeare-themed benefit netted more than $275,000 for the Costa Mesa theater’s annual fund. Yet-to-be-determined proceeds in excess of that amount will be donated to the American Red Cross for disaster relief in New York, said a South Coast Rep spokesman.

Gathered under the stars at the Noguchi sculpture garden in Costa Mesa, 450 guests dined on gourmet fare as colorful scenes from the theater’s Shakespearean productions were projected on the walls. The gala reception featured performances by fire twirlers and jugglers, not to mention appearances by Romeo and Juliet--with actor Aaron Hendry, resplendent in a split costume, depicting both parts.

A special performance of “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” from the Cole Porter musical “Kiss Me, Kate” was presented by South Coast Rep veterans Hal Landon Jr., Richard Doyle and Don Took. Overseeing last weekend’s festivities was Ellen Olivier, gala chairwoman.

In a separate event marking the opening of the South Coast Rep season, a post-show bash was held at Frette at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa following the Sept. 7 premiere of “The Circle,” by W. Somerset Maugham. Guests schmoozed with the play’s stars, who include Carole Shelley, Paxton Whitehead and William “Biff” McGuire. “The Circle,” directed by Warner Shook, continues through Oct.7.

Ann Conway

Art Show Benefit for Music Center

Three of the event’s four organizers were stranded by the shutdown in air travel, but the opening-night gala for the Fine Art Dealers Assn.’s seventh annual Los Angeles Art Show went ahead as scheduled. A portion of the proceeds for the event, which benefits the Music Center’s education programs, is being given to the American Red Cross disaster relief effort.

Of a quartet of chairwomen, only Marcia Hobbs was on hand Sept. 13; Dody Booth, Molly Barnes and Dina Merrill were on the East Coast. About $7,500 of the proceeds is being sent to the Red Cross.

Guests included Andrea Van de Kamp, Joanne and Roger Kozberg, Carrie and Stuart Ketchum, Roberta and Ted Greene, Joni and Clark Smith, Joan and John Hotchkis, Seth Weingarten, Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer, Peter Barker, Aimee Walker, Marlene and Brian Billington, Alyce Williamson, Vikie Hariton, Mary and Jerry Zinser, UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale, Robin Gerber, Diane Keaton and Bruce Michael Hall

The $15-million price tags on the Maxfield Parrish canvases, created for Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney’s Long Island studio, drew the most comments (along with the array of artistic interpretations of nudes). Kim Martindale, the show’s producer, said that despite the somber mood, there were quite a few sales. “Many people I spoke with said they were comforted by the distraction,” Martindale said.

Patt Diroll

A Strong Voice in the Audience

The house lights dimmed and only the American flag was illuminated as conductor Kent Nagano struck up the national anthem at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion before the curtain rose on the L.A. Opera’s opening performance of Richard Wagner’s “Lohengrin.”

Heads turned as a familiar tenor voice was heard from the front row of the Founders Circle: Placido Domingo was there singing his heart out. He was among those in the air approaching New York on the morning of Sept. 11; his flight was diverted to Columbus, Ohio. The maestro made it back to L.A. two days later in time for a performance.

The original premiere of “Lohengrin,” set for Sept. 12, was canceled.

P.D.

Playhouse Honors Its Angells

Lynn and David Angell would have been in their usual Row D seats in the Pasadena Playhouse last Sunday night for another opening of another show. But the couple, stalwart supporters of the Pasadena landmark, which is the state theater of California, were among the passengers who died Sept. 11 on American Airlines Flight 11. David Angell, co-creator and producer of “Frasier,” had been a longtime member of the playhouse board. The playhouse dedicated the opening performance of David Mamet’s 1977 comedy “A Life in the Theatre,” starring Hal Holbrook and Rick Stear, to their memory.

“The show must go on, but we do so with a heavy heart,” said playhouse artistic director Sheldon Epps, in pre-curtain remarks. “I’m not going to ask you tonight for a minute of silence. I’m going to ask, instead, for the sound of your laughter,” because the Angells understood the power of the theater to lift spirits, he said.

Following the performance, first-nighters gathered at Pasadena’s Celestino restaurant for a reception with the cast and crew. Guests included Vicki and Kerry McCluggage, Barbara Rush, Barbara Hale, Jo Anne Worley, Dixie Carter, Andy Philpot, Alfred Molina, Jack Riley, Robin Strasser, Holly and David Davis, Lyn Spector and Linda Boyd Griffey.

P.D.

Healing the Seals

Many of the guests who attended the 30th-anniversary benefit for the Friends of the Sea Lion Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach first participated in a nearby candlelight vigil for victims of the terrorist hijackings.

About 130 supporters gathered at Hotel Laguna for dinner and dancing, in support of the center’s marine life education and research programs. Recognized at last weekend’s event for their support of the center were founders Jim Stauffer, Rose Ekeberg, John Cunningham and Bill Ford.

A.C.

Coming Up:

* Reach Our Community Kids (ROCK) will honor John Lee and Micki Lazaruz for their service to youth in northeast Los Angeles at a benefit reception on Friday at Occidental College’s Johnson Student Center. Tickets $25 and $28 at the door. Call (323) 257-6102.

* The Brazilian Women’s Group will hold a benefit luncheon for two orphanages in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday aboard the cruise liner Sea Princess. Tickets $30. Call (818) 881-1552.

* On Saturday, the Historical Society of Southern California will honor authors of outstanding books and articles on local history at an awards reception at Los Angeles Union Station. The honorees are James P. Allen, Eugene Turner, Paul Bryan Gray, Richard Longstreth, Leonard and Dale Pitt, Spencer C. Olin Jr., Albert L. Hurtado, Edward A. Byerly and Abraham Hoffman. Tickets $20. Call (323) 222-0546.

* The 14th annual Vintage Bouquet hosted by Beverly Hills Bar Assn. Barristers takes place Sept. 30 at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. Tickets $65. Call (818) 986-7990.

* More than 70 noted Southern California artists will show their work Sept. 30 at Art Out of the Box, a garden party and silent auction at a private home in Pasadena to benefit the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance. Tickets $125. Call (323) 851-3722.

* Human Options sponsors a luncheon featuring an address by ABC newscaster and congressional analyst Cokie Roberts on Oct. 12 at Four Seasons Hotel, Newport Beach. Tickets $100. Call (949) 737-5242, Ext. 11.

*

Information for Social Circuits should be sent 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.