A spectacular supper at Tiffany’s awaits

They are planning the party of the year. South Coast Repertory’s 40th

Anniversary Season Gala is set for Sept. 20, and the wagons have been

circling for months in preparation for what will possibly be one of

the most extravagant social occasions on the California Riviera.

The party is being underwritten by Tiffany & Co., with local

Tiffany executive Jeff Bennett working closing with society chairs

Dee and Larry Higby to create what is being called “Supper At

Tiffany,” taking it’s name from the classic film “Breakfast At

Tiffany’s”.

The Higbys’ of Lido Isle invited 60 of the most powerful and

generous philanthropists in Orange County to dinner at the posh new

Balboa Bay Club & Resort.

Taking over one of the private waterfront dining rooms at the new

hotel, a gathering worthy of gossip in the “who’s who” circle brought

together the Orange Coast’s star couple Henry and Elizabeth

Segerstrom, who had just returned from a sojourn to the French

Riviera and the Cannes Film Festival. The Segerstroms entertained

Hollywood and European royalty on board a chartered mega yacht in the

French harbor.

Madam “Ambassadora” Julianne Argyros jetted in from Spain where

she and husband George Argyros, the American ambassador there, have

reportedly charmed the pants off Spanish citizens. European sources

have reported that Julianne’s fashion sense has influenced the women

of Madrid. Many of the ladies belonging to the Spanish social set are

dressing like Julianne, including wearing slacks to occasions that

formerly only saw women in dresses.

Prominent Paul Folino and his pretty blond wife Daranne,

$10-million donors to SCR, hobnobbed with the once-missing Ellen

Appel Olivier de Vezin, who returned from her new digs in Malibu to

join fond friends not seen in some time. William and Irene Mathews,

Martin and Elaine Weinberg, Delayne and Catherine Thyen, Twyla and

Dick Martin, Donna Phelps, Nola Schneer and Tom and Joyce Tucker

graced the powerhouse dinner that began with cocktails and hors d’

oeuvres served at sunset on the Balboa Bay Club terrace overlooking

the Newport Harbor.

After a champagne toast or two, the crowd was ushered into the

dining room for an exceptional three-course dinner that featured a

perfect grilled filet and succulent grilled shrimp. The dinner was

punctuated by a presentation given by the Higbys, with brief comments

by others involved in the preparation of the big gala set for

September.

David Emmes, co-founder of South Coast Repertory, was on hand to

offer a generous thank you to the distinguished crowd. Designers of

the upcoming gala shared details that excited the party.

“Empire style crystal chandeliers will flicker above guests

enjoying dinner and dancing to the strands of the J. Sterling

Orchestra,” SCR’s Madeline Porter said. “The party will unfold in a

tent erected at South Coast Plaza adjacent to Tiffany & Co. decorated

to reflect the evening’s theme, ‘Supper At Tiffany,’ showcasing a

world of elegance and beauty reminiscent of the great society

gatherings of New York.”

Some of the committee members working on the SCR fund-raising gala

are Bette Aitken, Donna Collett, Dee Higby’s daughter Jennifer

Dauderman -- daughter-in-law to another prominent Newport couple,

Bobbie and Jerry Dauderman -- South Coast Plaza’s dynamic Debra Gunn

Downing, Barbara Glabman, Patricia Neisser, Nancy Wall, Kitty

Schuler, and Freedom Communication heiress Judy Threshie.

Another patron party is scheduled for Aug. 9, hosted by the very

philanthropic Joann Leatherby and Greg Bates at their home in

Modjeska Canyon.

The pre-parties are vehicles that pay tribute and give thanks to

community leaders who have supported SCR for more than 40 years. The

hope of the organizers is to raise enough money to finish the capital

campaign that was launched in 1998 with the goal of raising $50

million to endow and support SCR.

So far, $47 million has been raised, with proceeds from “Supper At

Tiffany” said to inaugurate the theaters 2003-04 annual fund with

potentially the largest donations of the season.

For information and reservations for “Supper At Tiffany” or to

assist SCR in reaching its financial high-water mark, please call

(714) 708-5504.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.