A wonderful summer night for SCR

It was a magical night in the canyon. South Coast Repertory Theatre,

invited by generous sponsors Joann Leatherby and her husband, Gregory

Bates, held a patron dinner on the grounds of a rural Orange County

estate known as Batesby Farm. The Modjeska Canyon setting offered a

spectacular step back in time to early California coastal canyon

life.

The party unfolded on a balmy summer Saturday night. The

Leatherby-Bates compound, set on some five horse-inhabited acres,

with a grandly understated, sprawling contemporary mission-style

residence as the centerpiece, welcomed the arriving crush from

Newport-Mesa. A fountain splashed in the gravel-paved circular entry,

and the sound of a white-gloss grand piano in the main salon sent

music through open French doors and into a lush courtyard where

guests mingled over fresh Sangria wine cocktails garnished with large

slices of orange and lime.

It was the very best of summer on the California Riviera. Hostess

Leatherby, looking cool and chic in a floral print summer shift, and

her man, Bates, joined the dedicated SCR fund-raiser co-chairs of the

upcoming 40th anniversary fall gala, Dee and Larry Higby of Lido

Isle, to greet the generous crowd. Some 100 summer celebrants

represented a core of giving responsible for raising nearly $500,000

this season to contribute to SCR’s $2.4-million annual fund-raising

goal.

The gift represents the first and largest single donation to SCR,

reports Madeline Porter, assistant director of public relations for

the theatrical organization.

“We are closing in our $500,000 goal, which is the highest in

SCR’s history,” Dee Higby said.

Applause filled the Leatherby-Bates courtyard. “But we still have

a few tables to sell,” Larry Higby added.

He was referring to the upcoming gala, set for Sept. 20 at South

Coast Plaza, being produced by and partially underwritten by Tiffany

& Co. The party will coincide with the re-opening of the Tiffany

store after extensive redevelopment.

Organizers are calling the event “Supper at Tiffany.” Insiders are

whispering that it promises to be the party of the year in Orange

County.

No expense is being spared. All creative stops are being pulled.

Joining the Higbys and the Leatherby-Bateses in the planning and

execution of the event are committee members Linda Hovee and Sue

Stern, Linda Maggard, Jennifer Douderman, Bette Aitken, Aletha

Anderson and Kitty Schuler. Daranne and Paul Folino are serving as

executive co-chairs with Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom and Julianne

and George Argyros.

SCR’s artistic director, Martin Benson, was on hand with a few

kind words of thanks, and SCR’s producing artistic director, David

Emmes, reminded the crowd that Tiffany had hosted SCR’s 1988 gala, as

well.

“It is the kind of generosity that allows us to fulfill the vision

of our artists with the best productions possible,” Emmes said.

On hand for the celebration were local South Coast Plaza Tiffany

director Jeffrey Bennett and his exquisite bride, Barbara, who was

adorned in a yellow-gold necklace and earring ensemble encrusted with

multicolored semiprecious stones. The dashing George Rudenauer, in

from Tiffany New York City, turned heads wearing persimmon-colored

slacks printed with tropical embellishments and a classic blue blazer

over a yellow polo shirt, collar turned up.

The Tiffany crowd chatted with locals Irene and Bill Matthews,

Carl and Pat Neisser, John and Teri Kennedy, Marty and Heather Klein,

Tom and Joyce Tucker and Martin and Elaine Weinberg.

An exceptional dinner created by caterers Soiree included early

California recipes: an exceptional barbecued tri-tip beef stripper

accompanied by jumbo grilled shrimp, proceeded by a chilled corn soup

garnished with crab and chili oil. Ginger ice cream on mango and

raspberry coulis with chocolate-covered wontons finished a perfect

meal served on elegant celadon silk cloth covered square tables,

which sat 12 guests. All of the china was square blown glass,

including the soup “squares.”

A smashing summer evening all around.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.