Celebrating four decades of SCR

B.W. COOK

It was arguably the most elegant party ever thrown in Orange County.

“Supper At Tiffany,” celebrating South Coast Repertory’s 40th

anniversary season, was a gala event that netted in excess of

$500,000 to support the acclaimed theater company in our own

backyard.

SCR trustees Dee and Larry Higby chaired the event with the

combined skills of a Fortune 500 CEO and the social artistry of a

high-ranking public relations mover and shaker. Working on the event

for more than one year, the Higbys led a team of 41 committee members

that worked with SCR, South Coast Plaza, Tiffany & Co. and the

community at large to create what was surely one of the most

beautiful and most successful charity events on the California

Riviera.

To their credit, and to ensure the success of the evening, three

of the most prominent couples in the region were named executive

co-chairs of the fundraising effort. Ambassador George Argyros and

his wife, Julianne, Henry and Elizabeth Segerstrom and Paul and

Daranne Folino made up a triad of high level of community support as

the foundation of the Higby’s massive effort.

“I honestly don’t think heaven is this beautiful,” one glamorous

patron said entering the party tent erected in the South Coast Plaza

parking lot adjacent to the Tiffany & Co. store, underwriter of the

evening celebration.

“I think we should leave this tent up permanently,” said Henry

Segerstrom, managing partner of South Coast Plaza.

The tent did come down after an evening that will be a lasting

memory for the more than 500 guests attending the black-tie event.

The entire setting was created to resemble New York’s Central Park

and landmark, Tavern on the Green. Tiffany & Co. created a Central

Park setting fronting the tent featuring shimmering water elements

and greenery covered in tiny twinkling white lights, recalling images

of Audry Hepburn in the classic film “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.”

The evening began as guests arrived at South Coast Plaza, their

automobiles whisked away by regally clad valets. A red carpet was

laid, directing patrons through South Coast Plaza and into the newly

remodeled Tiffany & Co. store, where they were greeted by a

professional staff welcoming them to a private showing of Tiffany

jewels in a presentation that the company is calling “Be Dazzled.”

As violins played, martinis were served and hors d’oeuvres passed,

while the energy of the night began to build. Exquisite models

paraded the party wearing coral colored silk gowns displaying

spectacular Tiffany jewels.

Tiffany executives Beth Canavan, George Rudenauer and Jeff Bennett

greeted the arriving crush, which included the elegant Barbara Bowie

of Big Canyon attired in a flowing satin sienna ball gown suitable

for Cinderella. Barbara was escorted by her dapper husband, Alex

Bowie.

Newport’s most fashionable Zee Allred was escorted by Drago

Gligic. Glamorous Maralou Harrington and her husband, Jerry

Harrington, mingled in the cocktail crowd with Twyla and Charles

Martin, Rebecca and Carl McLarend, and Lido Isle’s beautiful Mary

Munday, who was escorted by Aubrey Devine of Pasadena. Edmond and

Ellen Olivier De Vezin were in from Malibu for the evening.

The very chic Marian Palley and her husband, Roger Palley,

producing partners of the play “The Last Night at Ballyhoo,” which is

being presented at South Coast Repertory, were in the crowd with

Anton and Jennifer Segerstrom, Catherine and De Lane Thyen, Joyce and

Thomas Tucker, George and Nancy Wall, and Arden Flamson. David and

Debra Weinberg of South County joined generous patrons of the evening

Irene and William Mathews.

At dusk, musicians ushered the SCR patrons into the tented

ballroom with a fanfare. The cavernous structure, erected with steel

beams and fitted with air conditioning, was artistically draped in

white fabric that looked as if dress designer Mary McFadden had

created the skin of the tent in a style fashioned after one of her

Grecian themed gowns.

Empire style “Maria Therese” crystal chandeliers hung from the

rafters of the tent, making guests feel as if they were in a royal

European salon. Enormous gold-frame black and white images of movie

stars and moguls hung on the sides of the tent like art on the walls

of a ballroom. Designers had masterfully superimposed Tiffany blue,

ribbon-tied boxes in the hands and arms of the people in the giant

images. A touch of genius combining art and commercialism reminded

the crowd that Tiffany & Co. had underwritten the party.

No expense was spared. The asphalt of the parking lot had been

covered in cream plush carpet, with tables dressed in fine china and

crystal, centered with artistic arrangements of roses and lilies in

soft shades of white and cream carrying out the “white on white”

color theme of the night. Golden Chivari ballroom chairs with white

cushions welcomed the guests, supporting large blue Tiffany boxes

filled with spectacular crystal gifts from the Tiffany Atlas

Collection.

Dinner was sensational. Executive chef Lou Manginelli of David

Wilhelm’s Culinary Adventures prepared a four-course feast: a grilled

prawn mango martini; a Prosciutto-wrapped heart of romaine salad; an

entree of grilled filet mignon accompanied by roasted Ling cod in a

lemon grass sauce; and for dessert, a chocolate pyramid served with

creme anglaise and an apple caramel, drizzled with pecan praline

caramel sauce. Selected wines were served with each course.

This was a party that welcomed table-hopping while dinner was

being served. Guests enjoyed the dance floor and visited friends all

throughout the evening, moving from table to table.

In the crowd were Elaine and Martin Weinberg, Patricia and Richard

Allen, Barbara and Jim Glabman, Judy and David Threshie, Jan Seitz,

Joann and Greg Bates, Catherine McLarand, and Scott Read escorting

Julie Secrest. Also in the crowd were the David Grants, the Barney

Pages, and Jean and Tim Weiss.

Tim Weiss, president of the SCR board of trustees, joined Henry

Segerstrom, Paul Folino, Dee and Larry Higby and founding SCR

directors Martin Benson and David Emmes in addressing the crowd and

thanking them for 40 years of remarkable support.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.