Follies raises funds

Tom Titus

There are many ways of raising money for charity, but none more fun

than putting on a big, splashy entertainment package every year,

something at which the folks at CHOC Follies have become most adept.

The latest edition, “CHOC Follies IX, CHOC Ahoy” at Anaheim’s

Grove Theater, continued the tradition begun in 1996 and continued by

Newport Beach publicist Gloria Zigner, the show’s executive producer.

Through its first eight years, CHOC Follies has raised more than $2.5

million for Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

This time around, the theme was an ocean cruise -- and some cruise

it was, with Singapore, Naples and Jamaica among the ports of call.

The “captain” for this fun-filled voyage was John Vaughn, who’s

directed all nine Follies editions, joined by music director Doug

Austin and choreographer Lee Martino, who also have been along for

all nine renditions.

And, while the shows always use local, nonprofessional talent,

sometimes they strike it rich -- as they did in the current

production.

Filling the central role was Costa Mesa’s Juliet Fischer-Schulein,

who spent five years as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall and still

is a high-kicking delight -- even eight months after childbirth.

Schulein played a mother escorting three single daughters on the

extended cruise, with each finding a future husband in one of the

ports. Susan Crouse and Newport’s Lauren Karg hook up with their

partners (John Igarashi and Chris Senesac) with richly textured

romantic numbers, while Jamie Senesac lands her pirate king (Joe

Modica) in more comical fashion.

In the Italy-based sequence, the Follies provided a showcase for

superb soloist Mia Maffei of Newport Beach (who’s entertained in all

nine CHOC events), with a beautiful rendition of “The Italian Street

Song.” Another highlight was Newport Coast resident Kathleen Duffy’s

energetic impression of Ann-Margret warblng “Viva Las Vegas.”

Temre Vouga offered a brash Texan traveler with a recalcitrant

daughter (Kerry Johnson) christened “Lexus.” Tim Bercovitz of Newport

Beach was an affable Scottish ship captain and Newport’s Anne

Manassero was an eye-catching, blonde Scandinavian purser.

“Celebrities” crowded the closing segment, replete with one-line

cameos.

It was good to see former Costa Mesan Vicki Groskreutz on stage

again, even if just in the chorus. While she didn’t have a principal

character, her dancing talents were front and center for the ensemble

numbers.

Other local performers included: Diane Mondini of Balboa Island;

Sue Ann Cross and Dorcas Preston of Corona del Mar; Mandie

Bayless-Fischer, Vito LaMorte, Sallee Smith, Terry Rogers and Danny

Farell of Costa Mesa; Leslie Cancellieri, Jon Dorse, Juliana

Gambrell, Tony Gato, Izzy Hirson, Honey Hostetler, Joe and Tiffany

Modica, Christyne Olson, Patty Robles, Dale Skiles, Sue Vinci and

Eric Vogler of Newport Beach, and Sandy Daniels, Gianna

Drake-Kerrison and Linda Lamitie of Newport Coast.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.