‘Follies’ on the hunt for stars

B.W. COOK

There’s a lot of singing and dancing going on around Newport Mesa.

The “real stars,” the “wish-they-were-stars” and the

“do-anything-to-be-a-stars” are preparing for auditions for the 2005

CHOC Follies IX, set to hit the stage March 18 and 19 at the Grove of

Anaheim.

The good news is there are openings in the cast for the very

talented and the barely talented. The show in its ninth season has

become a much-anticipated event on the Orange County calendar. The

really good news is that an enormous amount of money is raised,

benefiting the children of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

When it comes to sick children, there is no amount of money that is

enough in terms of bringing them back to health.

Over the past eight years, the CHOC Follies, under the loving care

of Gloria Zigner, has netted more than $2.5 million for the

Children’s Hospital of Orange County and CHOC at Mission. Zigner, the

show’s executive producer, works with associate producer Lois

Augustine.

John Vaughan will return once again as show director, working with

music director Doug Austin and chorographer Lee Martino. The triad of

talent will be in charge of the overall production for Zigner and

company.

This year’s theme is “CHOC Ahoy ... Musical High Jinks on The High

Seas.” Auditions begin tomorrow at the Sutton Place Hotel in Newport

Beach from 2 to 4 p.m. If you can’t make the Sunday audition, there

will be a second open audition on Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, also

at the Sutton Place Hotel. It is only necessary to attend one of the

two auditions.

Both dancing and singing auditions will be held, and talent is

requested to wear comfortable clothing. If you are interested in

auditioning for a solo number, please bring your sheet music, a CD or

a tape. A pianist will be on hand for both auditions.

Talent must be at least 21 years old and each cast member is

requested to sell a minimum of $500 in tickets or sponsorships.

Returning as co-chairs this year will be the dynamic trio of

Newport ladies Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Leslie Cancellieri and Dale

Skiles. The women have raised major funds from the Follies to help

the hospital, and will once again call again on business and

community leaders as well as local society, to make a difference.

“Theatrical experience is not required, but being a part of the

CHOC Follies cast will be an experience of a lifetime,” Zigner said.

For more information, please call Augustine at the CHOC Foundation

for Children at (714) 532-9360, or e-mail lfa@choc.org.

Last week, we incorrectly reported that the Pacific Symphony would

hold a very special luncheon starring opera legend Jane Eaglen on

Jan. 5. The correct date of the affair is Jan. 25. For reservations

and information, please contact Kelly Frey at Madeline Zuckerman

Public Relations and Marketing at (949) 644-4777, or e-mail

Kelly@zuckerman-marketing.com.