Holiday Spectacular

One of the most enjoyable shows I've seen in a long time was The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring The Rockettes, at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. What a fabulous show! Although there were only 18 high-kicking Rockettes as compared to the 36 that you would see in New York, it couldn't have been a more polished or enjoyable performance.

Every number was outstanding, but "The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers," which was in the original 1933 show and remains today, was definitely a favorite, as was the Raggedy Ann number which ended in the ragdolls doing the splits. All 11 scenes were spectacular, ending with "The Living Nativity," which was in the original show as well.

Since Radio City took the "Christmas Spectacular" on the road in 1994, 62 million people have seen it. Usually, there are two scenes that are swapped out every two years; however, since the show is celebrating its 75th year, the producers really went all out, changing half the show.
I absolutely loved the Santa Claus ad infinitum number, "I'm There," that addressed the age-old conundrum: How can Santa Claus be every place at once? It was so much fun to watch...a real crowd pleaser!

The Rockettes were a marvel of synchronicity...rehearsed to perfection! The costumes were beautiful. Today's Rockettes must be between 5'6" and 5'10 1/2" tall...and two local Orange County women were among the group who made it through the tough auditioning process.
Karie Anne Seasock is a member of the Radio City ensemble who grew up in Garden Grove.
Amy Lenhardt, a graduate of Orange County High School of the Arts, joined the touring group three years ago, after competing with 500 dancers in Los Angeles.

Even though I loved taking those tap dancing and ballet classes when I was a child that resulted in recitals with pretty costumes, I know I would never have the discipline it takes to be a precision dancer like that. I so admire their talent and dedication. As Amy said when asked how reality matched up with her dream of being a Rockette, "I couldn't ask for more. The girls are wonderful. I've made lifelong friendships. I hope I can do it for 15 more years." I'd love to see it again next year!

As if seeing this matinee wasn't pleasure enough, we followed up with dinner at
Ruth's Chris Steak House...divine food. I got adventurous and tried the Venison with Blackberry Sauce. I know, you vegans are cringing right now...but I must say, it was most enjoyable.

A delightful way to celebrate our anniversary, which just happens to fall during the Christmas holiday.

And now I am contemplating whether or not to make any new year's resolutions on this eve.
Whatever you decide to do, have a happy and safe one.

Do you have a hero?

Four years ago, my cousins, Terry & Mary, adopted Joey (4) and Katie (2), the only parents these two children had ever known. This came after 14 years of fostering children who returned to their biological families or were adopted by others. They were never given the chance to adopt these children but felt the heart pangs of seeing them leave after being in their home sometimes for years.

By the way...Terry and Mary successfully reared two biological children of their own before entering into this selfless act of caring for others. I always thought them to be ideal parents, encouraging their children to venture out and pursue their passions without fear. Now, Joey and Katie are filling their lives with joy once again...and they even have a new grandchild to love as well.

Speaking of heroes, and I was, I heard recently that Sal Guerneri with whom I went to grade school and high school passed away recently. I don't know the details, but I recalled how Sal once rescued me as I was being bullied crossing the street to go to school when I was a child.
That qualifies for heroism in my book any day of the week. May his soul rest in peace.

The Greatest Gift

I always get a little melancholy around this time of year, missing my immediate family. I was looking at a picture of my brother, Charles, who died two weeks before his 16th birthday and feeling grateful that he was in my life for those first 13 years.

I attribute my relationships with Charles, my father, and grandfather to have set me off on a good course of appreciating men. Thank God I am married to a man who is secure enough in his masculinity to allow me to have male friends. Of course, they most often become "our" friends as well.

One of the best things that came out of my producing and co-hosting "The Talk Show" for three years is finding the National Kidney Foundation. A guest on one of our health segments told me about the Great Chefs of Orange County event. A few years later, I was honored to have co-chaired the benefit in memory of my brother who died of kidney disease. The benefit, which was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach, raised $40,000 for the charity. It was the first year we had a major sponsor in Evian. It was my privilege to have served on the NKF Board for three years.

Recently, some friends of ours invited us to a play, entitled "The God Committee" by Mark St. Germain at the Actors Co-op in Hollywood. This play was about a hospital which had one heart available, and the "committee" was to determine which lucky person would be the recipient.

Afterwards, there was an audience participation discussion about organ donation. A woman was there with her husband, whom she had given one of her kidneys. They answered questions from the audience and a heartfelt discussion of this important topic ensued.

I remember reading about the stunt lady who donated one of her kidneys to actor Ken Howard. She had been a friend of Linda and Ken's for years, Linda also being a former stunt woman.

In this season of gift giving...is there any more precious gift one can give. More good information can be found at http://www.organdonor.gov/ and http://www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org.

A Visit to the Desert

This past week, the weather was fantastic for this time of year. Late November can be iffy...by that I mean chilly. But, it was perfect tennis weather until the end of the week when the badly needed rain fell for one day and night.

Fortunately, we had done most of the things on our agenda before the rain storm hit toward the end of the week. After being so close for so many years, we finally visited The Living Desert. It was so interesting seeing giraffe, zebra, ostrich, and other animals roaming around. There was a very impressive train display...the longest model train trestle in the world. We took a walk through the botanical gardens. The whole experience would be great for kids.

One of the things I always look forward to doing when visiting Palm Desert is the College of the Desert Street Fair on the weekends. The day after the storm was the only day I had to go shopping there, and the wind (which almost always follows the rain) was enough to send the vendors packing up as I arrived mid morning. The last time we visited in the spring, I found a beautiful piece of art in red stained glass that I had hoped to use in the set design of my latest play, House of Yes. It didn't work out for the set, but I was delighted to display it over the bar in our family room.

With all the shops on El Paseo (the equivalent of Beverly Hill's Rodeo Drive), I really didn't feel too deprived in skipping the fair this time around. However, we still couldn't resist stopping on the way home at the outlet stores in Cabazon. I was surprised to see more upscale stores since we last were there. St. John, Donna Karan, Ellen Tracy, Geoffrey Beane, Calvin Klein and others are there now as well as the usual anchors, Eddie Bauer, Dockers and Mikasa.
One could easily spend the entire day if you have the stamina going from store to store.