Was there a pet project? Yes. “In Berlin I’m building a small concert hall with 700 seats that will feature musicians from Israel and Palestine performing together. Promising a bold and exciting future.”
Gershwin and the Jazz Age themed the evening of enthusiastic supporters, the young and the ageless, who prize the cultural power our city of the future has attained, Along with the world-class museums, theater, and opera. In the long ago, New Yorkers mocked Los Angeles as a no man’s land of the arts.
Hearts were stirred with the LA Phil’s thrilling jazz selections from Gershwin (our Beverly Hills George), Ellington (the inimitable Duke), Bernthein (the warhorse Lenny), Mr. Porter (the memorable Cole).
Enraptured, concertgoers were lost in the stars, listening to the iconic selections performed under the baton of conductor Gustavo Dudamel. And sung by Megan Hilty (infanticipating) and Brian Stokes Mitchell, whose Glory-be-to-God voice awakens the long-gone.
As the patrons wandered from Disney Hall across Grand Avenue for dinner in the gigantic marquee, they discussed the Gala’s surprise. The 21-year-old George Li’s debut with the LA Phil performing Gershwin’s I’ve Got Rhythm. Sheer genius. Also praised was LA Phil’s clarinetist Boris Allakhyeerdyan’s interpretation of Bernstein’s Prelude, Fugue And Riffs.
The tropical décor of palm trees and exotic greenery, informs LA Phil’s public relations officer Lisa White, harks back to Hollywood’s Golden Age when the gowned Lana Turners and tuxedoed Clark Gables boozed and jitterbugged to the swing bands of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller at the Grove.
As we grow younger (ho and hum), and having dealt with dumbos around the clock in public relations situations, what joy and comfort it is to know and work with Lisa White, a graduate of Marlborough and a USC major in psychic biology (!?!), who veered into PR and aren’t we all the luckier.
May we add what a pleasure during dinner it is to find George Mitkov, the Bulgarian-born gentleman who looks after dining emperor Joachim Splichal’s catering division. George is tireless, always there on the double. George and Lisa are people you should know.
Savoring the menu’s tournedos au poivre: Gustavo Dudamel with inseparable paramount Maria Valverde of Madrid, Mayor Eric Garcetti and wife Amy, LA Phil’s COO Chad Smith, David Bohnett, Lynn Booth, Eva and Marc Stern, Gigi and Herbie Hancock, Edye and Eli Broad, Jane and Michael Eisner, Kelly and Don Johnson, Joan and John Hotchkis, Christoph Waltz, Sherry Lansing and Billy Friedkin, Elizabeth and William Shatner, Larry David, Benjamin Milleped, Alex Meneses, Amanda Peet, John C. Reilly with Allison Dickey, Eric Whitacre, Matthew Lillard, Neil Lane.
LA Phil president and CEO Deborah Borda announced that the coffers for the evening were $3.2 million richer, extending huge gratitude to Gala co-chairs Mari Daminel, Diane Paul, Ann Romus.
Included in the winning score of Kiss Me Kate, the prolific Cole Porter wrote Another Openin’, Another Show, and the Gala diners murmured as they bid their goodbyes that they wouldn’t miss next year’s event.
“The overture’s about to start.
“You cross your fingers and hold your heart.
It’s curtain time, and away we go.
“Another openin’, Another show.”
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A colossus and far-seeing for our Los Angeles theater, Gordon Davidson, the artistic director of the Mark Taper Forum, was the most affable impresario we have known. A kind and gentle soul, with his warm and welcoming smile, beloved by theater folks and audiences around the world. His indisputable triumph of enriching our cultural lives with innovative productions he produced and directed will be remembered in our arts history forever.
Gordon never failed to walk across a long room to greet friends, and thank them for attending his productions.
Our condolences to his adored Judi, sons Adam and Richard. We imagine Gordon in the heavens above with a playscript in hand callings for rehearsal of a new hit play!
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Rude and unwatchable, the hyper Senator was with his insufferable 70 interruptions – repeat, 70! – during the vice presidential candidates’ debate this week. A depressing turnoff.
The Washington Post’s Chris llizza astutely reports that the Governor was “calm, cool and collected” and winning the night.
Washingtonians are wondering who pointed the gun at Julian Assange to keep his mouth shut about his more Wikileaks shocker.
Gossip’s out there in law offices about the deal that Her, if elected, and the President made. Appointing him as a Justice in the Supreme Court.