Cast of characters gather for gala

BARBARA DIAMOND

Theft or blackmail were about the only ways to get tickets Oct. 19

for the performance Sunday of “Lagunatics” at the Forum Theatre --

tricky with a police chief in the cast.

The sold-out gala benefited No Square Theatre, was founded in 1997

by Bree Burgess Rosen.

“We are very fortunate to have Bree,” said Phoebe Ward Jr.,

president of the community theater group. “She is the spirit of our

theater, and she has generously shared her gifts with us. We will

make her proud.”

Burgess also founded “Lagunatics.”

Ward, who usually is in the cast of the “Roast of the Coast,” was

sidelined this year by a bout of pneumonia.

“You were missed,” said Martha Lydick, who attended the gala with

her mother, Elia Bledsoe.

In the cast: Burgess, Judy Atkin-Palmer, Gregg Barnette, Rick

Breco, Margo Burgess, Philip Burkhardt, Rufino Cabang, Jim Hall, Tom

Hancock, Bill Harris, Peter Jones, Darlene and Gary Krantz, Debbie

Meeker, Carol Robinson, Karen Rymer, Beverly Tupy and Pat Warren, all

of Laguna Beach.

Also: Yvonne Browning of Newport Beach; Deborah Harris and Jasper

Krump of Aliso Viejo; Adam Hemming, Todd Leach and Michael O’Malley

of Laguna Niguel; Linda Martin of Corona del Mar; Tony Paoletta of

Leisure World, Rich Wordes and Police Chief James Spreine of San Juan

Capistrano.

As always, the biggest laughs and most applause were for us making

fun of us. “The Monster Mash” became “The Montage Cash,” starring

Spreine on a massage table. He was also featured in a number that

pokes fun at City Manager Ken Frank’s ethical code for the use of the

city’s seal and in a Gilbert and Sullivan take-off, “Three Meter

Maids Who Rule.”

“He’s talented,” said Chris Quilter, who wrote the chief’s

monologue. “He sounds like he is just speaking to the audience rather

than from a script.”

Quilter also wrote the words to “I’m Here,” sung by Rymer to music

by Stephen Sondheim.

The lyrics -- about hanging in there through fire, flood, traffic

jams and the design review process -- hit close to home. Ann and

Charlie Quilter, Chris’ brother, survived the 1993 fire only to lose

their Laguna Canyon home and almost their lives in the mudslides of

1998.

The Quilters and cousin Jane Kennedy all attended the gala.

“Nothing is sacred,” Rosen said.

Where but “Lagunatics” would you hear “tacky” as a rhyme for

“Iraqi” and used as a reason to keep war out of the parodies written

to tunes from operettas, hit musicals, pop charts and standards by

Rosen and her cohorts Quilter, O’Malley, Hemming, Paul Leighton Nygro

and Akin-Palmer.

“I thought at my age, I would have to pay to have this much fun,”

Chris Quilter said.

The city’s herd of goats was the butt of another skit. (Somebody

has been hanging around Rosen too long).

Some of the subtler jokes included sneakered feet showing below

the new stage curtain, which is three inches too short.

Bree alluded in one song to one of her pet peeves -- the

high-budgeted art organizations in town that get a big bite of the

Business Improvement District Fund while smaller amounts go to groups

such as No Square Theatre.

Since Rosen started “Lagunatics” 11 years ago, the show has

contributed more than $350,000 to local nonprofits, including Laguna

Shanti, the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, Ballet Pacifica, Laguna

Beach High School Artists Theater and No Square Theatre.

Donations help.

Food and beverage donors to the gala went from B to Z -- BJ Pizza

and Grill to Zinc Cafe. Also: Javier’s, Mark’s Catering, Royal

Hawiian, Rumari, The Coffee Pub, Regal Wine/Kendall Jackson, Spectrum

Catering and Sundried Tomato.

Cheryl Clancy and Marc Wilsey of Pacific Whey Cafe and Baking Co.

donated the desserts and 20 dozen martini glasses -- an outright

gift.

The glasses were used to serve donated Ketel One vodka martinis at

the reception and the intermission.

Auction items were donated by Anastasia’s Boutique and Cafe,

performers Barnette and Harris, Cedar Creek Inn, Lloyd and Stella

Charton, the Festival of Arts, personal trainer Jimmy Johnson,

Kokopelli, Laguna Colony Co., Michele “Mike” Smith, Tiki, John Barber

Glass Designs, Furioso Salon, Chakra Shack Fawn Memories, Fido’s on

Forest, Hobie Sports, Ken’s Jewelry, Jim and Nancy Kreder, Laguna

Culinary Arts, Laguna Handbags, Henry and Juliane Rosen, Salerno’s,

Thurston Boyd and Co., and Wayne and Louise Wright.

“Aren’t we blessed,” Ward said. “The funds we raise tonight will

help pay for our productions and events throughout the year:

everything from costumes, props and scenery to our rehearsal space

and workshops.

“These funds enable us to continue many worthwhile community

projects, such as our new youth theater and our annual scholarship to

a graduating senior from Laguna Beach High School,” she said.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, CA 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite

22; call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.