Foote in the door at South Coast Repertory

“The Carpetbagger’s Children,” a play by American writer Horton

Foote, opened last night on the Julianne Argyros Stage at South Coast

Repertory Theatre.

Foote joined SCR director Martin Benson in presenting the

production to the local crowd. It is the story of three sisters

reflecting upon their lives set in the South and based on roots

traced back to Civil War memories. The cast stars Nan Martin, Linda

Gehringer and Robin Pearson Rose in the three title roles. Cast and

crew joined local patrons of SCR for a post- production party in the

magnificent new lobby after the curtain.

LAURA’S HOUSE

OPENS ITS DOORS

Neiman Marcus of Newport Beach will open the doors of its Zodiac

Restaurant for a membership tea in support of Laura’s House. The

Guild of Angels, a premiere support wing of Laura’s House, welcomes

the community to discover more about a special agency that provides

shelter for victims of domestic violence in Orange County. The

afternoon at Neiman Marcus will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 4.

Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by calling Fran Mulvania at (949)

675-2966.

FLORAL HEADDRESS BALL

This evening at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles, Los

Floristas will present a preview of its upcoming 65th annual Floral

Headdress Ball. The massive charity event is set to take place April

25 at Merv Griffin’s Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Tonight, at the premiere party, which is being called “Los

Floristas a la Mode,” the fabulous mannequins (who are the ladies

modeling the incredible headdresses) and their floral designers will

be presented to the social crowd, which will include a Newport-Mesa

contingent and representatives from greater Orange County.

Included in the presentation will be Newport’s Susan Welch,

escorted by her husband, Thomas Welch, and her floral advisor, Cathy

Zikakis of Santa Ana. Other locals participating in the event will be

Jade Higgins and Modesto Busto.

Mary Richardson of Huntington Beach will chair tonight’s preview

party, along with Barbara Gershon of Hancock Park and Maggie Simms of

Toluca Lake, in association with Carolyn Johnson of San Marino, the

president of Los Floristas.

Los Floristas is committed to a budget of $330,000 to support the

multifaceted programs at the center.

For those unfamiliar, the annual Floral Headdress Ball is

something of a miniature Rose Parade of dedicated women modeling

spectacular floral creations as hats.

The 65-year tradition is a throwback to the charitable

celebrations of earlier times, with a very strong commitment to the

very real needs of children who suffer from disabilities.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.