THE CROWD:

Tommy Tune ommy Tune came to town and lit up the stage at Chapman University. The Broadway star headlined the 27th annual American Celebration at the local university with the impressive international reputation.

The black-tie event, which attracted 750 guests for dinner and an amazing musical show featuring Chapman students, netted $2.1 million earmarked for student scholarships. Since its inception the massive social gathering has netted more than $15 million, helping countless students reach their goals.

The “Tony Award”-winning Tune, both as performer and choreographer/director, has been involved with such shows as Seesaw, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Grand Hotel, My One And Only, and The Will Rogers Follies to name a few.

Tune joined Chapman President Jim Doti on stage for a number bringing down the house capitalizing on the sight gag of Tune’s near-7-foot frame opposite Doti’s small stature. Make no mistake, Doti is every bit as tall in the eyes and minds of supporters who have helped him transform Chapman into an institution on the major track to national/international status.

William Hall, dean of the College of Performing Arts and a 46-year veteran at Chapman, conducted the orchestra, in association with associate dean Dale Merrill, who handled the artistic direction of the massive production built around the theme “The Movies That Made Us Sing and Dance.” The crowd was absolutely awe struck, and there was dancing in the aisles.

Chaired by Marta and Raj Bhathal and Marybelle and S. Paul Musco the evening also honored Chapman trustee Jim Mazzo and his wife, Kelly, chairs of American Celebration 2007 and dedicated supporters of the university.

The finale of the performance featured the musical number “That’s Entertainment,” which had the cast singing and parading off the stage and out of Memorial Hall and into the grand dinner tent decorated as a Hollywood night club from the glory days pre 1950. Dinner and dancing took the big event late into the night.

The dedicated ladies of Newport’s Temple Bat Yahm are preparing for their “Jewish Holiday Home Tour” set for Tuesday.

This first annual event will feature tours of four outstanding homes in Pelican Hill, Pelican Point, Shorecliffs and Shady Canyon, which will each be decorated in different fashion representing themes from the Jewish Holidays.

The cost for the tour is $50, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch served at the Temple before and after the event.

For information and last minute reservations please contact Janice Newfield at janicenewfield@cox.net.

One of the season’s most delightful holiday events is the Pacific Chorale’s “Tis The Season” concerts on Dec. 17 and 21.

The Chorale will be joined by The Pacific Symphony in the Reneé and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall with the chorale under the direction of John Alexander.

On the 21st the concert will also include a major dinner celebration organizers are calling “A Dickens’ Feast” which will unfold at The Center Club.

This major Sunday event before Christmas is an important fundraiser for the Chorale and promises to be a wonderful event for the entire family.

Tickets to the Dickens’ Feast and concert are $250, while concert tickets alone on the 17 start at just $21. For tickets, reservations, and lots more information go to www.pacificchorale.org.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.