World’s Fair does ‘Splash’ proud

BARBARA DIAMOND

Imagine “Splash” without the water.

That’s what the audience saw Saturday night at “World’s Fair New

York” and Friday night at the dress rehearsal. The production was

held at the Irvine Bowl Park, not in Ken Jillson and Al Roberts’

backyard, but it had all the joie de vivre people came to expect in

“Splash,” the homegrown extravaganza that tickled audiences for more

than 10 years and raised millions for the AIDS Services Foundation.

Saturday’s show raised $420,000.

“We returned to the days of dinner and a show,” said Jillson,

producer, writer and cast member of the show, as well as one of the

event’s three chairs. “That’s what our donors said they wanted. We

are so stoked, we have already set the date for next year.”

Tickets cost from $125 to $25,000.

The “All-New Washed Up Musical” may have been “Way Off Broadway,”

but it was in the heart of Laguna. The beloved Aquatnettes were there

in spirit, if not in the water, dancing the swim in homage to

“Splash.”

“Was it long enough?” Roberts’ asked after the dress rehearsal.

The audience said no, but complaints were made -- a problem the

City Council will have to resolve to balance their desire to get more

use out of the Festival of Arts Grounds and neighbors wanting peace

and quiet.

In an effort to be good neighbors, the foundation had timed the

performance to end before 10:30 p.m. -- they live here, too.

AIDS Services Foundation was founded in Laguna Beach in 1985.

Roberts is president of the foundation, and Jillson serves on the

board.

The foundation is supported by donations, grants and fund-raisers.

“Splash” raised $5 million for services to people living with AIDS.

More than 1,500 men, women and children are assisted annually by

the foundation’s paid staff of 65 dedicated professionals. The

foundation offers food, transportation, housing, emergency funds,

mental health counseling, support groups, care management and HIV

education and prevention.

“People living with HIV/AIDS are relying on ASF more than ever,”

said Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, event co-chair with Jillson and Judy

Fluor-Runels. “World’s Fair is an excellent opportunity to have fun

while making a difference.”

Rodriguez shared billing with Jillson as “The Producers,” scouting

successful Broadway shows to see how not to put on a success, a scam

to make them millionaires.

Not the heaviest of plots, but who cared? The audience had a ball,

so did the cast.

“They worked so hard,” said David Porterfield, at whose Arch Beach

Heights home the cast rehearsed for the three weeks before the show.

Site co-chair Frank Bianchini said “World’s Fair” grew out of the

foundation’s country/western fund-raiser that was held annually in

the beginning of summer at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

“Roundup got bigger when Splash ended and became “World’s Fair,”

Bianchini said. “The first one was supposed to be ‘World’s Fair New

York,’ but 911 happened and it became ‘World’s Fair Paris.’”

Saturday’s show was sold out, but some tickets were sold for the

dress rehearsal. It was also a shakedown cruise for the volunteers.

Alex Wentzel was among the committee members who helped familiarize

the volunteers with their duties.

In Friday night’s audience were: Laguna Beach photographer Ed

Olen, a donor to the silent auction; Gary and Darlene Krantz, both in

the cast of “Lagunatics”; JoAnne Keller, personal trainer; Ursula

Pfisterer; and city Heritage Committee member Tamara Campbell, who

works in Newport Beach as a planner.

Campbell saw a lot more of her boss, Newport Assistant City

Manager Dave Kiff, than she ever has at work. He had the “Full Monty”

number.

The cast of 35 also included Lagunans Micky Shaw, Gregg Barnette,

veteran Splash performers Char and Gary Green, youthful Charles

Moothart and newcomer Shawn “Junior” Hoctor.

Barnette also designed hairstyles for the cast. JoAnn Moothart

served as state manager. Chris and Dinah Brazelton and Molly Retzlaff

designed the costumes, including those clever towels that turned into

full-length evening gowns.

Tod Kubo helped write the show and directed it and choreographed

it. Comedian Ron Pearson entertained before the show.

Saturday’s event began at 6:30 p.m., with a reception catered by

Sundried Tomato and silent and live auctions, chaired by Lagunan Pam

Bobit.

Dinner was served at 8 p.m.; sit-down for guests who spent $10,000

or more for tickets, buffet style for the rest. Both were also

catered by Sundried Tomato.

The live auction included a stay at Montage, donated by Strada

Properties in Laguna Beach; a home-catered meal cooked by Mark

Jacobi, chef and owner of Sundried Tomato, served by Rodriguez or a

real waiter and entertainment by Roxanna Ward. More than 150 people

or businesses donated to the silent auction, including Lagunans Roger

and Janice Johnson and local merchants Areo, Bubbles of Laguna, Casa

Laguna Inn, Five Feet, Javier’s, Kar Kare Parking Systems Inc.,

Laguna Beach Fire and Police Departments, Partner’s Bistro, Laguna

Colony, Woody’s at the Beach, Jewelry by Ponce and HUSH, a restaurant

due to open in town this fall.

In Saturday audience were: Jim Ardery, Bill Gillespie, Jim Klein,

Bob Metcalf, Dave Skowson, Fred and Tina Siegal, Jeffrey Benedict,

Duane Vajgrt, Jim and Linda Loomis, David Spiers with Vesta Curry and

his mother, Elizabeth Collyer Vincent, who recently donated another

$1 million to the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

“I really want to compliment Ken Jillson and Al Roberts and all

the participants from the ushers to the performers,” Kinsman said.

“They donate thousands of hours and they don’t have to do it. It’s

all volunteered.”

* In the coming weeks, the Coastline Pilot will be compiling

information for a 2004 calendar that will be made available to our

readers in December. With this calendar, we hope to include all of

the major social, civic, business, entertainment and sporting events

that take place in Laguna Beach.

If you have any events that you believe should be added to our

calendar, please e-mail the date and time and nature of the event to

our new calendar e-mail address, which is: lbcalendar@latimes.com.

Unfortunately, it will be impossible to include every event in the

calendar, so submissions will be subject to editing. The deadline for

submissions is Friday, Oct. 31. We appreciate your help and support.