Sep 7, 2008

'Grey Gardens' premiere a colorful affair

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

Opening night of "Grey Gardens" was a magical evening for TheatreWorks. This is the first post-Broadway production of the Tony Award-winning musical, and there was palpable excitement in the air. People came from all over the Bay Area to see the debut performance on Aug. 23. Board members, donors, fellow theater artists and season ticket subscribers celebrated what is truly an important new production. Even the composer and lyricist will be out to see the show next week, said Phil Santora, managing director of TheatreWorks.

"Grey Gardens" is the story of the dysfunctional mother-daughter duo known as "Big" Edie and "Little" Edie, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy's aunt and cousin.

In the first act, 1941 Easthampton, N.Y., is glimpsed as final arrangements are made for an engagement party for "Little" Edie, who is to be betrothed to Joseph Kennedy (John F. Kennedy's older brother) at the family's Grey Gardens estate. The high-society lifestyle of the mother (played by Beth Glover) and daughter (played by Elisa Van Duyne) is summed up by the song, "The Girl Who Has Everything."

But by the second act, the passage of more than 30 years reveals that mother (played by Dale Soules) and daughter (now played by Glover) have become recluses, resigned to a life of living in a filthy, crumbling mansion filled with cats and raccoons. The actresses brought out the two eccentrics' personality nuances, and brilliantly performed complicated musical numbers. The ladies truly earned their standing ovation.

Almost the entire audience stayed late to meet the stars at the post-performance champagne reception at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Guests included producers Mike and Martha Kahn, Derry and Charlene Kabcenell, Josh Pickus and board president Carey Pickus, Anne and Larry Hambly, Pauline Baukol, Julie Simmons, Shirley and Joe Bailey, Carla Befera and Bruce McCleod.

It was a big night for the Foley family. Dad Mark Foley proudly applauded his daughter Kathryn Foley, in the role of young Jacqueline Bouvier, along with Kathryn's grandmother Liza Getzinger.

The play continues through Sept. 14. For information, call 650-903-6000 or visit www.theatreworks.org.


TIFFANY & CO.'S 'DIAMONDS & MOONLIGHT'

There was plenty of sparkle at the "Diamonds and Moonlight" summer party, co-hosted by Tiffany and Co. and Ayala Foundation USA President Diosdado Banatao and his wife Maria.

Tiffany & Co.'s Bebe Kokab welcomed about 80 guests to the Stanford Shopping Center store for a champagne and caviar kickoff party for the upcoming Ayala Foundation's Sept. 14 "Filipino Bytes" benefit. In her welcoming remarks, Kokab reminded everyone of Audrey Hepburn's famous line from "Breakfast at Tiffany's." The reason Hepburn's character Holly Golightly loved the iconic store so dearly was that "nothing bad can ever happen to you there."

In fact, several good things happened at the Aug. 27 party, which was both a thank you to friends, volunteers and donors of the Ayala Foundation and an anniversary party.

"I thank Tiffany's for hosting. ... I have appreciated all the help Tiffany's has given me to recognize important events, including birthdays and anniversaries. We have had a long association, and I come back all the time," Banatao said.

Darlene Woodson had fun modeling almost $1 million in diamonds, and particularly liked a seven-carat brilliant cut diamond ring. She mentioned to her husband Jim Woodson that it would be a perfect 25th anniversary present. (Hint hint.)

Seen sampling caviar and admiring the dazzling collection of diamond jewelry flown in for the party were Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor Jr., Gaye Bruce, Betty Agawa, Zeni and Ben Mallari, Linda and Chuck Drew, Benjie Picardo and Ayala board members Sherri Burke, Denny Roja and Offie Maristela.

The buzz among guests that evening was about the Sept. 14 "Filipino Bytes" gourmet dinner, which will be held poolside at the Banatao's Atherton home, featuring culinary delights from chefs Kelly Degala of Pres a Vi, Jennie Lorenzo of Fifth Floor, Tim Luym of Poleng Lounge, Emmanuel George Santos of Bistro Luneta and Daniel Sudar of the Red Lantern.

For more than 40 years, the Ayala Foundation has raised funds to support education and health care in the Philippines. Their programs focus on installing computer labs in high schools and furnishing Internet access, providing scholarships for elementary school children and backing sustainable business projects.

For information on the Ayala Foundation, call 650-598-3126.

E-mail Janet Duca Norton at society@paloaltodailynews.com.