Putting on the finest for the Playhouse

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

It has been an enjoyable spring in Laguna Beach. I know I’ve said

this before, but it makes me laugh when my friends chuckle at me for

never leaving Laguna. Of course, these friends don’t live here -- so

I try not to brag too much while they’re enduring snowstorms

somewhere else.

This time of year is when most of the ski resorts close in

Colorado. I have fond memories of spring skiing, but also remember

that through the rest of this month and all of May it would snow a

lot or rain -- and the mountain would be too muddy for hiking, trail

running or mountain biking. Thus the moniker “mud season.” Well here,

not so much, I can leap on my bike or find that trail or go to the

beach every season. Here in Laguna Beach we have a season that spans

12 months a year -- we call it living in Laguna Beach and enjoying

the weather.

Playhouse Putting on the Glitz

It’s a fact -- I was impressed with the Laguna Playhouse black-tie

benefit gala at the Montage on Saturday. It had all the feel of the

Academy Awards sans the red carpet, including celebrities Julie

Harris, Charles Nelson Reilly and Charles Durning. Harris, a six-time

Tony award winner including a Tony for lifetime achievement, was one

of the honorees, as was Laguna Playhouse Youth Director Joe

Lauderdale and community visionaries Claes Andersen, Paul Freeman,

Sam Goldstein and Karyn Philippsen.

“We’re tremendously fortunate for the volunteer leadership,” said

Richard Stein, executive director of Laguna Beach Playhouse. “They

have outdone themselves putting together a fabulous party and their

generous support of the Playhouse to make this evening a great

success.”

He commented that the gala raised $200,000 to support the

Playhouse’s artistic and educational programs, and that it was well

received with over 370 people in attendance.

The Montage atmosphere was spectacular. Everyone was chatting,

socializing and enjoying the cocktail reception prior to the awards.

A sampling of what people were saying:

“I moved here five years ago from Washington, D.C. and decided to

give something back to the community,” Jim Mellor, Playhouse board

president and major underwriter for the event, said. “The Playhouse

has done a fantastic job with outreach like our education programs

and with artist aspects. My wife, Suzanne, is an artist, so she just

naturally gravitated to the Playhouse.”

Donna Inglima, who is the education director for the Playhouse,

commented on how gorgeous, special and magical the Montage was for

the event.

“It’s been a tremendous year for the education program,” Inglima

said. “We took our students to a New York theater trip.”

Kathleen Spalione, Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau executive

director, was an attendee.

“It’s a beautiful event,” Spalione said. “I hope it’s very

successful for the Playhouse.”

Jon Wagner, director of development for the Playhouse, said that

they have been doing very well this year and that the gala was

extremely successful.

Julie Bondi, director of development for Laguna College of Art &

Design, came to the event to support the Playhouse.

Attendees John Deily, who is a trustee at the Laguna College of

Art & Design, and his wife, Pam, said that they really think that the

relationship the Playhouse has with the schools is integral.

“It’s one more unique attribution to the town and why we live

here,” John Deily said. “That’s why I got involved with the college

is the relationship with the Playhouse and Laguna Art Museum,

bringing quality work here so we don’t have to leave town.”

Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson described the event as first class

and very theatrical.

“I’m just glad to see so many people support the Playhouse,”

Pearson said.

Julie Harris was a delight to speak with. She came from her home

on Cape Cod, Mass. to attend the gala.

“I appeared in ‘The Belle of Amherst’ at the Laguna Playhouse

three years ago,” Harris said. “I love it there, it’s a wonderful

theater.”

Mike Madigan said that the gala is absolutely much more

spectacular than he expected.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful gathering,” Madigan said. “The

Playhouse is becoming the premiere venue in Orange County. They’ve

done a wonderful job in developing the shows -- they keep getting

better and better.”

I enjoyed chatting with Anne Morris, executive director of the

Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. As a little side note, Morris went

to the University of Kansas, as did I, and she went to the same high

school in Johnson County, Kansas. She was devastated that the

Jayhawks lost the Final Four championship. I was sad, but she was

really not too chipper: She attended the games in New Orleans.

Morris seemed to know everyone and was mingling with a lot of

folk.

“The hotel is fabulous, so beautiful,” Morris said. “I am so

excited about being here for the Playhouse, the turnout is

incredible.”

Gretchen Mulville, who is a trustee of the Playhouse, said that

she loves the fact that the Playhouse is a true small theater.

“The quality and casting is impeccable as are the quality of

playwrights,” Mulville said.

Sindi Schwartz, who chaired the event, got some time to enjoy all

her hard work and effort to make the event such a success.

“The Montage is breathtaking,” Schwartz said. “I think it’s

wonderful that this is the first time so many Laguna residents are

coming to the Montage. I’m thrilled to be a part of a beautiful cause

and the kind of excitement it generates for all the arts.”

Don Gregory, who directed “The Belle of Amherst and will be

directing “Harvey” this summer, said he is thrilled with the turn

out.

“This is the kind of event Laguna does so well, just as they [the

Playhouse] does their plays so well,” Gregory said.

Dora Wexell, of [seven-degrees] and an alternate on the City’s

Arts Commission, said that the Playhouse is doing a great job.

“It seems like every production I can go to, I go to -- everything

is top notch.”

Mayor Toni Iseman was the last person I got a chance to chat with

before the bells were sounded, indicating it was time for the dinner

and the event’s program to begin.

“Because of ... the vision of a few people, we have a source of

permanent funding that doesn’t come out of the pockets of Laguna

Beach, but our guests, thanks to the hotels,” Iseman said. “It was a

touch of genius.”

I was disappointed I didn’t get a chance to talk to former mayor

Kathleen Blackburn, whom I like, and the constantly smiling Karyn

Philippsen; both of them have done so much for the Laguna community.

One of the many hats Philippsen wears is that of president of the

visitors bureau.

The Business Improvement District is funded by a 2% guest room

assessment at Laguna Beach hotels. Half of the funds go toward

funding local arts organizations and programs. Since the it began in

2001, the Playhouse has received $112,454 in support from the

district.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.