THE CROWD:All aboard fundraiser for South Coast Rep

As we approach the gala opening weekend of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, one of Costa Mesa’s proud partners in the performing arts community, South Coast Repertory, celebrates a record breaking event heralding the opening of its 28th season. More than $500,000 was raised at the SCR gala chaired by the dynamic Bette Aitken.

“Tonight the gala committee and the theatrical community show their appreciation of SCR by opening the social season in Orange County with a fabulous party, which has raised more than a half a million dollars to benefit the continuation of great theater in America,” said Aitken, sharing the spotlight with husband Wylie Aitken at a party billed as All Aboard the Orient Express.

Wearing period costume from the 1920s and 1930s, some 400 South Coast Repertory patrons joined Bette and Wylie aboard the Orient Express in a transformed ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach meant to recreate the glamour of a bygone era and a magical, mythical train trip from Paris to Istanbul.

As guests arrived at the Hyatt, they saw that decorators had turned the reception area of the hotel into the Parisian Gare du Nord. Announcements blared in French and English with departure and arrival information. Actors as porters piled the Louis Vuitton luggage onto dollies. Tickets were distributed, passports stamped and cocktails served to the well-dressed travelers converging on the club car called Le Train Bleu.

The Hyatt ballroom became the elegant dining car, and tables were arranged in rectangular fashion rather than the typical party rounds. This choice made all the difference. People talked. They visited with their friends, old and new, and table-hopped all night long. On the dance floor, the Charleston reigned for the night.

Meanwhile South Coast Repertory board chair Larry Highby joined by glamorous flapper bride Dee, welcomed the crush of generous travelers. Highby praised the South Coast Repertory committee for a most successful event and introduced South Coast Repertory’s artistic directors, David Emmes and Martin Benson, to the applause of the crowd.

As the evening progressed and the imaginary train inched closer to Istanbul, patrons toasted the good life in Orange County, and the impressive accomplishments of South Coast Repertory in particular.

Aboard the Orient Express and spotted in the exclusive club car were Barbara and Bill Roberts; Yolanda and Dennis De La Paz; Nadine and Robert Hall; Pat and Gene Hancock; Jan Seitz Jashinsski; Teri Kennady; Pat and Carl Neisser; Donna and Ron Phelps; Nola and Malcolm Schneer; Sue and Ralph Stern; Elaine Weinberg; Barbara and Jim Glabman; Aletha and Chris Anderson; and Kathryn Glassmyer.