SCR donors, board share the love

B.W. COOK

South Coast Repertory concludes its 40th season this year with a

perfect record of running in the black, unheard of in the world of

performing arts. The Costa Mesa-based theatrical company founded by

David Emmes and Martin Benson has earned a stellar reputation for its

productions and for its relationship with the Orange County

community.

“We will end our fiscal year August 31 with a balanced budget,”

said Tim Weiss, chairman of the SCR’s board of trustees. “The

successful conclusion of ‘The Next Stage Campaign’ has paid off the

entire Folino Theater Center expansion, [which was] completed last

year, and our pledges will fund an endowment of over $20 million.”

The impressive status of SCR, both creatively and fiscally,

belongs to a long-standing community bond established by Emmes and

Benson. The torch has been passed from one community leader to

another. As Weiss steps down as SCR board chair, N. Christian

Anderson III steps in. For Anderson, the affiliation is more than

just community service. It is very much a family commitment. Aletha

Anderson, wife of the new board chair -- who is also the publisher

and chief executive of the Orange County Register -- will lead the

charge for the upcoming 2004 SCR gala, a major fundraiser for the

theatrical organization.

Aletha and Chris Anderson welcomed SCR patrons and board members

to a glorious summer evening gathering at the residence of hosts and

benefactors Sue and Ralph Stern of Newport Beach. The sunset cocktail

reception and dinner at the Stern home was an elegant prelude to the

Sept. 11 SCR gala, being called “Playing to a Muse.”

The beautiful Sue Stern, attired in a sleek silver-gray chemise

over pants, bussed her guests upon arrival as enthusiastic servers

from Corona del Mar’s Urban Bake passed out wonderful hors d’oeuvres

to the summer party crowd, which was spilling outside onto the

terrace and taking in the intoxicating air of the coastal canyon. Sue

Stern joined Aletha Anderson, thanking the assemblage for their

financial commitment.

“The gala represents the first in the upcoming season and one of

the most important gifts to SCR’s annual fund,” Anderson reminded the

dinner crowd.

Organizers led by Anderson hope to raise in excess of $400,000

from the gala. Committee members include: Dee Higby, Pat Neisser,

Kitty Schuler, Nancy Wall and Elaine Weinberg. Also very much

involved are Dori Caillouette, Donna Phelps, Teri Kennady, Betty Eu

Huang, Marlene Hamontree, Bette Aitken, Mary Carrington and Julianne

Argyros, for whom one of the new stages at the Folino Center is

named.

The ongoing love affair was certainly evident at the patrons party

as guests shared dinner on the Stern terrace and recounted years of

SCR bonding. Loyalists sampling summer salads and sipping chilled

Chardonnay were Bobbie and Jerry Dauderman, Linda and Robert Hovee,

Gail and Roger Kirwan, Elizabeth and John Stahr, and Mary Munday and

Richard Pedranti, who are soon to be wed.

The Stern affair was indeed a prelude to “Playing to a Muse.” The

Judy Chamberlain Trio, fronted by jazz vocalist Chamberlain, was a

superb focal point of the evening. Chamberlain, formerly recognized

in O.C. as a food columnist and lifestyle writer, has followed her

heart and reinvented her persona around a love of music. Her talent

has flourished over several years of serious practice and

performance. Consequently, Chamberlain, with a voice that is fine and

mellow, phrasing that is sublime and energy that is contagious,

turned the Stern living room into a salon of jazz. The crowd was

enthralled, many remaining after the party concluded, requesting jazz

favorites from the singer and her talented musicians.

It was a special evening on the Orange Coast, orchestrated by

generous hosts, dedicated volunteers and donors and one talented jazz

singer, all to benefit South Coast Repertory.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.