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L-R: Laura Applegate, Chair and Sarah King, Co-Chair PHOTO BY NANCY RICHARDS
THEATER SPOTLIGHT GALA NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATER CELEBRATES |
BY DEBORAH VIETOR
J
oin the North Coast Repertory Theatre to celebrate the beginning of life with the Spotlight Gala! Sunday, August 29, the theater community will come together at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, beginning at 5 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction followed with wine, fine cuisine, and an elegant plated seated dinner served in the ballroom at 6:30 p.m. Auctioneer Clint Bell will conduct the live auction and fund-a-need segment. Some elements include an evening with Richard Dreyfuss and a doll house signed by Dr. Ruth and Tovah Feldshuh and a live session with Dr. Ruth. There will be a cork pull as well. Artistic Director David Ellenstein will serve as Master of Ceremonies during the event. The dedicated and passionate volunteer committee, led by Chair Laura Applegate and Sarah King are preparing a festive evening for 350 guests. Honorary Chairs for the Gala include Academy Award winning actor Richard Dreyfuss, and wife Svetlana, longtime 20
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2021
supporters of the North Coast Rep Theatre. Entitled “The Lights Are Bright at North Coast Rep,” who will join the fun? Featuring show tunes from Gypsy, Cabaret, Sweet Charity and Forum, guests will be delighted to dance in their seats with this evening of musical comedy, with a 4-piece band and 5 local actors. A performance by the Theatre School will be included as well. Surprises illuminate the evening, joining guests for a magical evening through the North Coast Rep. The event’s fundraiser is another way to raise philanthropic revenue. Through the generosity of table sponsors, auction bidders & event sponsors, North Coast Rep raises over one third of their total annual budget for donated income at this event. Dreyfuss’s observations on the impact of the theater are viewed through the looking glass of an actor. “Most people don’t realize that when you do a comedy and you make people laugh, you are doing what is known in Judaism as a mitzvah – it’s a gift. It means
you can find that people laugh so hard it looks like they haven’t laughed in a hundred years, and you know you’ve lifted something painful off their shoulders.” Svetlana illustrated her enthusiasm by proclaiming, “It’s our favorite theatre. They do remarkable work! At it’s purest, theatre, like religion, answers questions you didn’t know you had. The plays at North Coast Rep open your eyes to new worlds, exposes you to new experiences, and makes you think. We are happy to do anything we can to support them. They’re just terrific!” An American actor and writer, Dreyfuss achieved an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Goodbye Girl, (the youngest actor ever at the age of 30 to win.) He was also awarded a BAFTA, Golden Globe Award and countless others. His starring roles include: American Graffiti, Jaws, What About Bob?, Stand By Me, and Mr. Holland’s Opus, (nominated for an Academy Award in 1995.) Dreyfuss has performed multiple outstanding roles over
