THE CROWD:

International businessman and automobile legend Lee Iacocca was the guest of honor of an event at the Crystal Cove residence of Carl and Barbara Mosen raising funds for the Reach Foundation.

The organization’s mission is to help addicts become committed to recovery and get their lives on track.

The foundation provides funds for treatment and education. Iacocca had come to the Newport Coast to share excerpts from his recent best-selling book, “Where Have All the Leaders Gone.”

A lively question-and-answer session followed his address. Iacocca fielded questions from the foundation’s supporters, including Victor and Lea Assad, Ron and Stacy Brower, Shirley and Eric Pepys, Jim and Norma Feederle, Cindy and Al Strokke, Micki and George Rach, and Fred Behr.

The grand and elegant Mosen estate created on a Mediterranean theme offered guests a lavish spread of Italian delicacies artfully displayed at food stations throughout the home.

The party was designed so guests could wander the grounds and enjoy the vast ocean and coastal views at sunset. A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of a portrait of Iacocca created by local artist Scott Kennedy.

The Mosens also displayed a pristine 1965 Ford Mustang in honor of Iacocca. Also in the crowd were Newport architect Steve Dobbie and his exquisite wife Yvette, Rial and Maureen Barnett, Grant McNiff, Ken Nersten, Paul Chupack, and Tib Albach.

“Jersey Boys” opened this week at the Orange County Performing Artscenter. The Tony Award-winning musical had the Newport-Mesa crowd up on their feet in Segerstrom Hall with a standing ovation for the cast telling the story of 1960s idol Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

The fast-paced show is filled with nostalgic music that took the multigenerational crowd back to their youth. Following the opening night performance, guests were invited backstage into Founder’s Hall for a delightful cast party that was created with an artistic touch taking guests back to a 1960s diner.

This was pure fun. High-topped tables were covered in black cloths and adorned with giant red cylindrical carnation centerpieces made to look like bowling balls. Juke boxes were everywhere and records strewn about. Waiters were dressed in diner costumes complete with obligatory caps.

They served pigs-in-a-blanket and slider hamburgers. In the center of the room a dessert table offered piping-hot apple pies with vanilla ice cream. Another table featured Tastee Cakes imported from New Jersey, as the music played all of Frankie Valli’s hits.

Supporting the Orange County Performing Artscenter and attending the lively late-night function and mingling with cast and crew were Pat and Richard Allen, Alex and Barbara Bowie, Arnold Feuerstein, Rosalie Friedman, Carolyn and John Garrett, Eve Kornyei and Stan Hanson, Roger Kirwan, Pat Poss, Joan Riach, Glenn and Mindy Stearns, Gini and Bob Robins, Sheila and Ygal Sonenshine, Kathy and Noel Hamilton, Buddy and Nancy Richley, and Center President Terry Dwyer and his wife Amy.

The Orange County Chapter of ChildHelp USA is inviting friends and sponsors to an evening at Cirque du Soleil. The exotic troop is performing at the Orange County fairgrounds through Dec. 23 in a show they are calling “Corteo.”

ChildHelp will sponsor a benefit performance on Nov. 30 with a post-party following the show hosted by South Coast Plaza. Dinner will be provided by California Pizza Kitchen, Champagne French Bakery, The Corner Bakery, Nello’s Cucina, Ruby’s Diner, and a few treats from See’s Candy.

Dedicated ChildHelp volunteers Barbara Ganahl, Cathy Caporaso, Mary Allyn Dexter, Nancy Whitlock and Shan Womack are working together to ensure a sold-out and successful evening. Tickets to the event are $120, which includes the post-party. Please contact Nancy Whitlock via e-mail at [email protected] to reserve your space.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.