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.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.