Wednesday, November 09, 2005 | It was themed “A Night of Illusion – Things Are Not What They Seem.” Or was it? It seemed that more than $350,000 was raised at the La Jolla Playhouse gala, and it was. It seemed dynamo Chairwoman Debby Jacobs made it all happen for the sixth year in a row, and she did so beautifully. Debby was brilliant in a bright sequined orange Sue Wong cocktail dress.
The entertainment draw, Kristin Chenoweth, also wasn’t just an illusion. Kristin is mysterious, an actress, a performer and more. “She sang in lyric about her childhood with humor,” said guest patron Dianne York-Goldman. La Jolla Playhouse Trustee Sheri Jamieson added, “Quite entertaining. It’s nice to have Broadway come to you.” And guests responded in kind to yet another top notch evening of entertainment at the Playhouse.
Among those enjoying the evening were Debby Jacobs’ family including husband Hal, Stacy and Paul Jacobs, Deni and Jeff Jacobs, and Joan and Irwin Jacobs. The Jacobs family underwrote the caviar for the VIP reception.
More VIP supporters there included book agent Margaret McBride and her husband Nevins McBride, Sheila and Hughes Potiker, Lisa Foster and Alan Bersin, Valerie and Harry Cooper fresh back from a month in Italy, and David Copley. Copley, a big arts supporter, was recently in Los Angeles at the American Cinematique Awards congratulating this year’s winner, Al Pacino.
More there enjoying a Hyatt Regency La Jolla menu coordinated with Jeanne Jones included Charmaine Kaplan, Marleigh and Alan Gleicher, Geri Ann Warnke and Joseph Kennedy, Cathryn and David Ramirez, and Jeanne Jones herself in a deceptively semi-transparent/illusion skirt with trousers by Armani. Jeanne was there with her husband Don Breitenberg on her arm. Also there were Lynn Gorguze and Scott Peters, Pauline Foster, Karen Cohn wearing dazzling ropes of Tahitian Pearls with her husband Don Cohn, and Suzanne Figi.
Suzanne bought the “Billy Crystal” live auction prize. The prize includes a party of six venturing to Los Angeles via helicopter (provided by Sheri and Dr. Stuart Jamieson) for the opening night performance of Billy Crystal’s “700 Sundays.” The lucky six then join Billy Crystal for the after-party and pure VIP star treatment.
Ivor and Colette Royston bought a dinner for 10 with La Jolla Playhouse’s Tony Award-Winning Director Des McAnuff, at the home of Joan and Irwin Jacobs. A trip to New York for a walk-on role in LJP-birthed “Jersey Boys” was bought by Sheri and Stuart Jamieson and by Paul Jacobs. It was Paul’s birthday weekend, too!
Like Kristin’s movie and stage career, it’s not “Stranger Than Fiction” that her talent does not fall far “The Apple Tree” that she “Bewitched” this audience as she does so many others. Kristin just has that “Candide,” can do attitude towards the performance arts. And we love her, just like we love the award-winning La Jolla Playhouse!
Meanwhile in La Jolla Shores ….
La Jolla Shores’ Yummy Sushi and Yummy Sake restaurant owners Keung Choi or KC as he is known, and his wife Sang, were the very generous underwriters of a lavish banquet of tempura, yakitori and a plethora of sushi. They also donated the beer, sake and wine. Among the many attending the feast benefiting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of San Diego were Joe Bauer and his wife Marianne, physical training star Yaddick, Tom Hassey and Scott Johnston.
For more information, please visit
Margo Schwab, an alumna of the University of San Diego’s graduate business school, reports on social/charity events, celebrities and restaurants.