The Crowd: A star lights up Chapman event

Academy Award-nominated actor James Caan, best known to the movie-going public for his roles in “The Godfather,” “Cinderella Liberty,” “Brian’s Song” and, more recently, “Elf,” arrived at Chapman University’s American Celebration on Nov. 7 wearing jeans, open shirt and sports jacket.

Caan was under the assumption that he was invited to the university to teach a class and give a lecture in the cinema department. Whoops. Caan was surrounded by a sea of Orange County VIPs in black tie and formal gowns. His people had clearly neglected to inform the actor that he was invited to Chapman to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award.

“I wish I would have known to wear black tie this evening,” Caan told the full house assembled in Memorial Hall. “But I gave my tuxedo to a working actor, so it would not have made any difference anyway.”

The audience laughed and applauded Caan’s reference to the highs and lows in the entertainment industry.

American Celebration, in its 34th year, brought together many of the most generous and philanthropic members of the Orange County community, raising an impressive $2 million, all of which is earmarked for student scholarship support at Chapman University.

Make no mistake, this is a phenomenal undertaking and is undoubtedly one of the most successful fundraising events on the O.C. calendar. Over more than three decades, American Celebration has raised in excess of $25 million to help students reach their educational goals.

Chapman University, one of America’s respected institutions of higher learning, comes with a hefty tuition. It is reported that 82% of Chapman students receive some sort of scholarship assistance.

The gala evening on campus began with sunset arrivals. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served to the approximately 1,000 patrons on the massive central courtyard centered by Chapman’s iconic fountain.

Following an hour of mingling under the stars, the crowd moved into Memorial Hall for the highlight of the evening, Chapman’s Broadway-style review conducted by William Hall, dean of the soon-to-debut Musco Center for the Arts.

The legendary music and drama instructor has held the baton for every one of the American Celebrations at Chapman. The show this year had special significance, since 2015 marked major changes at the university. Appropriately, producers billed the performance as “The Future Is Now.”

Marking his final year as Chapman president, the respected Jim Doti, who has had an unquestionable role in elevating Chapman from a small, local school into a nationally recognized university of regard, again delighted in taking center stage as the consummate song and dance man alongside his talented and vivacious partner Julianne Argyros.

The president and his philanthropic muse performed a custom rendition of “I Remember It Well” from the musical “Gigi,” backed by a troupe of talented Chapman singers and dancers. The song paid homage to decades of Chapman history and the special relationship Doti and Argyros have had with the university.

It was announced that Chancellor Daniele Struppa has been nominated by the Chapman Board of Trustees to be the new president, following Doti’s return to the Chapman facility in August.

Another of the major milestones celebrated this season was the announcement of the upcoming grand opening of the Marybelle and Sabastian P. Musco Center for the Arts, which is nearing completion and will open March 19. Placido Domingo is slated to headline the grand affair. Future American Celebrations will be presented in the new state-of-the-art facility.

The curtain went up on the “Future Is Now” with a rousing rendition of “Willkommen” from the musical “Cabaret,” featuring vocal soloist Michael Hamilton. The enormous cast of singers and dancers proceeded on an hourlong toast to Broadway featuring nostalgic segments from American Celebration performances throughout the years.

Major numbers included “Lullaby of Broadway” from “42nd Street,” “America” from “West Side Story,” “Seasons of Love” from “Rent” and an extravagant finale, “Brand New Day” from “The Wiz.” The show was interspersed with tributes to Caan and major Chapman donor David E.I. Pyott, named Chapman’s 2015 Citizen of the Year.

Credit for the amazing production goes to producer and designer Donald Guy and director and choreographer Alicia Guy.

One of the most glamorous dinner events in the O.C. unfolded in a tent that would make Barnum and Bailey jealous, erected on the lawn fronting Memorial Hall. The crowd was mesmerized by extravagant displays of white hydrangeas and magnificent jewel tone florals, with a predominate silver tone emphasized throughout the tent.

Every table had a unique and different arrangement. The crowd enjoyed a multi-course gourmet dinner while table hopping, visiting with friends and dancing to the melodic sounds of the Chapman orchestra.

The amazing project was chaired with style by Donna and David Janes Sr. Honorary chairs of American Celebration were Julianne and George Argyros, Ninetta and Gavin Herbert, and Kelly and James Mazzo. A VIP committee included a “who’s who” of Orange County philanthropists, including Twyla and Charles Martin, Joann Leatherby and Greg Bates, Suki and Randall McCardle, Harriot and Sandi Sandu, Sandi and Ron Simon, Doy and Dee Henley, Marta and Raj Bhathal, and Bette and Wylie Aitken, among other distinguished contributors.

Major sponsorship for the $2-million fundraising gala came from the Argyros Family Foundation, RJ Noble Co., The Allergan Foundation, Milan Panic and MP Biomedicals LLC, The Simon Foundation, and The Rinker Foundation, among many others.

VIP guests spotted in the crowd included Alex and Barbara Bowie, David and Barbara Cline, Ben and Carmela Du, Florence Fainbarg, Wally and Joan Gayner, Parker Kennedy, Rick and Nancy Muth, George and Terry Schreyer, Elizabeth Segerstrom, Ron and Gail Soderling, Ralph and Sue Stern, David Stone, and Jerry and Gemma Wolf.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.