Rhinestone Cowboys

Not looking the least bit out of place, emcee Roseanne floated on stage in a checked taffeta dress and rhinestone-trimmed cowboy hat to introduce last weekend’s 49th annual Boomtown party. The event, one of Hollywood’s most durable charity benefits, raised $1.3 million for SHARE (Share Happily and Reap Endlessly) programs supporting the developmentally disabled. More than 500 Tinseltown types--duded up like a dress-extra call for “Destry Rides Again”--packed the floor of Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance,” featuring Ron Masak, Ray Charles, Olivia Newton-John, Garry Shandling, James Gandolfini and, of course, the high-kicking SHARE ladies, from 26 (Jordan Ladd) to 82 (Miriam Nelson).

Many members of SHARE have performed in the annual revue for decades, and any reference to getting “long in the tooth” is verboten. “It’s amazing. This is the only place you can go and see older women in this town,” said Roseanne.

SHARE, started in 1953 by seven entertainment-industry women to support programs for the developmentally disabled, has raised $38 million over the years and now funds 16 diverse Southland agencies ranging from Ahead with Horses Inc. to Villa Esperanza.

The event was dedicated to the memory of longtime supporters Milton Berle and Jay Livingston, and honored HBO programming head Chris Albrecht, who was given SHARE’s Shining Spirit Award by Gandolfini.

Maxine Smith chaired the show, produced by her husband, Gary Smith, for the 14th year, with help from SHARE President Joni Berry and others, including founding member Gloria Franks, who was honored as member of the year, presented by SHARE’s board chairman, Marilyn Katleman.

Spotted in the crowd were Laraine Day, Dana Grilikhes, Roni Sue Malin, Sandra Siegel, Lara Lizer Word, Mandie Rush and a host of stars, from Joe Pesci to Dick Van Dyke to Red Buttons. And Boomtown party chairman Jan Sarnoff was there with her husband, Tom, sporting the Hoss Cartwright-style hat he’s worn to this party for 43 years.

--Patt Diroll

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CHOC Follies

Proving they could dance and belt out a song with the best of them, dozens of community leaders showcased their talents in the CHOC Follies, which netted $400,000 for Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s Kids Care Fund.

Staged in a tent across from the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, the four showings of “The Slipper and the Surfer”--a musical comedy presented last weekend--drew more than 3,000 spectators.

The Cinderella-inspired story line featured Serena (Susan Crouse) meeting with surfer bum Richie Bucks (Ryan Hall) at a gala barbecue despite the antics of her wicked stepsisters (played in drag by Terry Jones and Rick Reiff).

“The magic of being in the Follies is that you have the chance to do something wonderful for children and also make a personal stretch,” said Jones, the center’s vice president of development.

The production, sponsored by the CHOC Foundation and John and Donna Crean, was co-chaired by Leslie Cancellieri, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels and Dale Skiles. Players also included Pat Poss, Martin Hubbard, Michelle Reinglass, John Gates, John Igarashi, Mary Pham, Linda Dixon and Heidi Miller.

--Ann Conway

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Erasing Stigma

Carrie Fisher, Rod Steiger and Maurice Benard were honored by the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center for their roles in helping change perceptions of mental illness.

Five years ago the center, which provides mental health programs at a dozen locations in the Los Angeles area, launched an aggressive drive to eliminate the shame and ignorance that prevents individuals from pursuing treatment. Fisher and Steiger were the first personalities from the entertainment world to offer support, and have served as honorary co-chairs since, sharing their personal battles with mental illness to encourage others to seek help.

For their efforts, Fisher, Steiger and soap star Benard, who is spokesman for the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Assn., were recognized at the sixth annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, which raised more than $140,000.

In presenting Benard’s award, Annette Bening lauded him for breaking stereotypes. “Maurice plays a ‘macho guy’ on ‘General Hospital,’ and macho guys--especially Latinos--don’t go for help,” she said.

Tracey Ullman, who presented the award to Fisher, said “Carrie is not Princess Leia, a damsel in distress. She’s a hero, who gets back on her horse after a fall and rides back into battle.” In accepting the award, Fisher said, “I’m proud I’m surviving my breakdown. Bring it on! I don’t see it as a weakness. Bipolar disorder is ‘glow in the dark.’ It’s easier to find. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!”

Steiger, narrator of the radio-documentary series “Voices of an Illness,” made a plea for openness and understanding. “Cease the silence; apathy is our enemy. I’ve had a continuous battle with mental illness and I don’t want my offspring to face the same battle,” he said. “The prejudice is as bad as racial prejudice.”

George Segal, who emceed the May 17 event, brought his banjo along to sing a duet with his wife (and former high school sweetheart), Sonia. Beatrice Stern chaired the event committee.

--P.D.

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Wining and Dining

A fire-swallowing Maid Marian, wandering minstrels and a platoon of serfs toting trays of roasted quail and dragon tail, sozzled striped bass with rose hips, smoked venison, lamb pie and enough prime beef to stoke the entire Pac-10. Not your usual little Sunday frolic in Pasadena, let alone in the hallowed halls of the city’s venerable Masonic Temple.

No one went home hungry--or thirsty--after the bacchanal, the “Pageant of the Chefs: A Nouvelle Medieval Feast,” to benefit the American Institute of Wine & Food. Jim Dodge, Natasha MacAller and Marilyn Stambler chaired the May 19 event with Dalia Miller and Teri Solomon.

This was the first medieval-themed fund-raising venture for the 300-member L.A. chapter, which raised more than $65,000, due in part to proceeds from a lively silent auction of premium wines. Participating chefs included Lee Hefter of Spago, Raphael Lunetta of JiRaffe, Terri Buzzard of Getty Museum Restaurant; Michael Cimarusti of Water Grill; Suzanne Goin of Lucques; and Nancy Silverton of Campanile.

Dale Kristien headlined the entertainment, which included the Beverly Hills High School Madrigals and a parade of confection art created by chefs Peggy Alter, Thomas Henzi, Stanton Ho and Donald Wressel. Among the revelers were Kristien’s former “Phantom” co-star Michael Crawford and musical conductor Ron Abel.

--P.D.

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Schneiders Saluted

Major donors to the Orange County Philharmonic Society gathered to honor Eva and Fred Schneider for their longtime support and leadership at a formal dinner May 19 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach.

“Thirty years of association with a nonprofit is rare,” board President Donald P. Evarts told about 100 guests, as he presented the couple with the society’s Golden Baton Award. “Eva has been in charge of every philharmonic committee, and Fred’s contacts in Austria have helped us bring the Vienna Philharmonic to Orange County.”

The couple’s dedication to the philharmonic society was sparked by a newspaper article years ago that called Orange County “a cultural wasteland,” Eva Schneider said. “That got us going.”

Past Golden Baton winners have included Zubin Mehta, Donald Bren and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn.

--A.C.

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Fashion Plates

The 50 models were volunteers, but guests welcomed them like pros at the annual Gentlemen’s Haberdashery fashion show and luncheon to benefit the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana.

The benefit, held at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Tennis Club, raised $250,000 for the nonprofit center that is the site of day-long retreats for thousands of Orange County schoolchildren each year. Rancho Mission Viejo President Tony Moiso and his wife, Melinda, were co-chairs of the May 15 event.

--A.C.

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Coming up:

* Paramount Pictures and Stop Cancer presents the world premiere of “The Sum of All Fears,” starring Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman on Wednesday in Westwood, followed by a supper gala at the UCLA Hammer Museum. Tickets $350. Call (310) 996-1188.

* The Society of Singers will honor Placido Domingo with the 11th annual ELLA Award on Thursday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Tickets $400. Call (323) 651-1696.

* Rosario Martin, Rocky Delgadillo and Lucille Roybal-Allard will be honored at the TELACU Education Foundation’s 19th annual scholarship awards dinner Friday at the Century Plaza Hotel. Tickets $300. Call (323) 721-1655.

* Rosemary Children’s Services holds its 39th annual fund-raiser, “An Evening With Star Chefs,” at Villa del Sol d’Oro in Sierra Madre on Saturday. Tickets $75. Call (626) 844-3033.

* The Mary Magdalene Project honors retiring executive director Jerri Rodewald for her 20 years of service at a gala dinner Saturday at the UCLA Hammer Museum. Tickets $110. Call (818) 988-4970.

* The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 13th annual Silent Film Gala, featuring the newly restored version of Harold Lloyd’s classic 1925 football comedy, “The Freshman,” will be shown Saturday at Royce Hall, UCLA. Gala tickets, which include a post-film supper, $225. Call (213) 622-7001, Ext. 275.

* Descanso Gardens’ second annual black-tie benefit, “Descanso in Full Bloom ... Una Notte Bella,” will be Saturday. Tickets $175. Call (818) 952-4391.

* UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation’s Epicurean Evening 2002 will be at the Pacific Palisades estate of Dennis Tito on Saturday. Tickets $1,250. Call (310) 794-7643.

* Art of Dining, sponsored by the Orange County Museum of Art, will be held Saturday in a tent across from the Orange County Performing Arts Center to honor artist John Baldessari. Singer Diane Schuur will entertain. Tickets are $1,000. Call (949) 759-1122.

* The Rainbow of Hope Ball sponsored by HomeAid Orange County will be at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach on Saturday. Tickets $200. Call (949) 553-9510.

* Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic Los Angeles Unit will honor Jeanne DeVivier Brown and Rowena Schaber at its Cherished Friends Brunch on June 2 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Tickets $100. Call (323) 664-5525.

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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 or (213) 2377144; Conway at ann.conway@latimes.com, or (714) 966-5952.