GLEE STAR RAISED $866,000. FOR OCHAS GALA

Matthew Morrison entertained a sold out ballroom Saturday night at Orange County High School of the Arts black-tie fundraiser gala, singing "It Had to be You" with the ukulele that he played when he auditioned for the role of Will Schuester on the hit TV show "Glee."

"A Swingin' Singin' Salute to the Stars of the USO" was the theme of this year's gala. More than 700 Orange County arts patrons paid $350 a ticket, packing the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine. They drank champagne and dined on Steak Diane at candlelit tables.



Students at OCHSA had to audition to perform in the three-act show (about 100 got the honor), which opened with a toe-tapping medley of World War II tunes such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by the school's Montage Orchestra. The boys danced and sang in sailor suits and tap shoes, the girls wore polka dot dresses and red gloves.


After Rodriguez and alum Chad Doreck, who has worked off-Broadway and on TV, performed the Bette Midler number "Stuff Like That There," to close out Act II, Morrison came back onstage with Ralph Opacic, the founder of OCHSA.


Opacic was Morrison's mentor back when the "Glee" star attended OCHSA, graduating in '97. He told the audience that they had sold more than 1,100 $10 raffle tickets for a chance to spend time with Morrison on the set of "Glee." Purchases came from 62 cities in five countries, including Italy and Germany. After a drum roll, Morrison picked a ticket with the name of OCHSA senior Collin Sanderson, who happened to be in the crowd.


Morrison kicked off Act III wearing a black fedora to sing the sexy, jazzy Michael Bublé number "Sway." Senior Megan Cutler was a dancer in the show. "We have to act like it's not a big deal but inside we're like, 'Oh my God!'" she said before the show.


To warm the audience up when it came time to raise money, the auctioneer asked for bids on a glass of tap water he had in his hand. Sold! For $500. A Disneyland package, including a stay in the suite where Walt himself used to sleep, went for $11,000. And a behind-the-scenes Broadway extravaganza package went for $30,000.


When it was time to auction off a chance to meet Morrison on the set of "Glee" and have lunch with him, the Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor came back onstage. Bidding quickly shot to $14,000, at which point Morrison sweetened the deal, shouting out: "Now ladies, I will show you my trailer."


When bidding seemed to stall at $22,000, the auctioneer asked Morrison to mention the trailer again.


"I, I, I will rub your shoulders in my trailer!" he blurted out.


Someone raised their paddle for $23,000. The bidding ended with Stephen and Cindy Fry Russ and Kathy Van Cleve raising paddles to pay $25,000 each for the backstage pass.


All told, the night raised more than $866,000 for the school.  Paradise Delight Floral & Event Styling was honored to be the event designer.


"This place really gave me the opportunity to dream big," Morrison told the audience before the finale. "I am you. I was you. And anything's possible. I wouldn't have been where I am today without it."



Contact the writer: 714-932-1705 or lbasheda@ocregister.com

HONEYSUCKLE - THE COLOR FOR 2011

Last year's Pantone color of the year was turquoise because of its calming effect (much-needed after a tumultuous 2009). This year, they're forecasting a way more vibrant color: Honeysuckle!

According to Pantone Color Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman, “In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues."

It's already been on the red carpet, as you'll see below, and it's showing up in various of shades of cute items right now!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Wishing you a happy heart today and always!  Happy Valentines!

The Paradise Delight Floral & Event Design Team

A SWINGIN' SINGIN' SALUTE TO THE STARS OF THE USO GALA

On March 19, 2011 the Orange County High School of the Arts Foundation Board of Directors and Gala Chair Matthew Morrison, Music & Theatre alum Class of 1997 and Tony and Emmy award-nominated star of the hit TV show GLEE, will present what has become the premier event of the social season, Gala 2011 “A Swingin’ Singin’ Salute to the Stars of the USO!” at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

The annual black-tie Gala is the Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year and provides essential support toward the $5 million needed annually to continue providing our tuition-free, donation-dependent arts conservatory programs. Come join us for one of the most entertaining and unforgettable evenings you’ll ever experience!

At Gala 2011, A Swingin’ Singin’ Salute to the Stars of the USO! guests will experience a lively musical tribute to the overseas camp shows and the stateside stage door canteens of the United Service Organizations. For decades, famous Hollywood celebrities have traveled all over the world, in times of war and peace, to entertain our men and women in uniform and boost morale. These star-studded entertainers have included the likes of Bob Hope, Ann Miller, Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, Judy Garland, Bette Midler, and many more.

This spectacular evening of entertainment will have guests swinging and singing to the sounds of memorable classics performed by our very own Montage Big Band Orchestra along with our fabulous singers and dancers. The Gala will also feature an elegant dinner and an incredible, one-of-a-kind silent and live auction. With the generosity of our dedicated parents and the community-at-large, we expect to raise an estimated $800,000 in support of our aspiring student artists.

Thank you in advance for your commitment to Gala 2011 and I hope you will join us on this inspiring journey as we celebrate some of the most talented young entertainers of this generation!

As always, Paradise Delight is proud to collaborate the event decor and designs for the gala!