Hollywood Beat, Sep 11, 2009
Beastly Ball – For The Love of Animals & Pretty in Pink – the Opening of ‘Legally Blonde – the Musical’
Beastly Ball – For the Love of Animals
More than 900 guests were on hand for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo’s Beastly Ball, which raised over $1,226,000 to support the Zoo’s Botanical Garden’s work as an education resource for the citizens of L.A. Wearing our best safari outfits, complete with pith helmet and faux leopard leggings, we boarded the tram to Tiger Plaza, and feasted on delicacies from such restaurants as Il Fornaio, Typhoon, Celestino and Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs. One of our favorite dishes is the Mashed Potatoes Bar, from Renaissance Fine Catering. You can’t image what goodies you can add to their huge baked tators.
The animals from the giraffes to the lions and elephants welcomed us to their home with assorted bellows, grunts and screeches, and we paid our annual visit to the famed Komodo Dragon (you know, the one who bit Sharon Stone’s hubby when he invaded his cage). Even had the opportunity to chat it up with Golden Girl’s Betty White, who is L.A.s Ambassador to the Animals. She offered her services as a guide to the Zoo, for a Nighttime Safari for Seven, in the Live Auction.
Other unusual prizes include Slash’s Rockin Zoo Tour; where the legendary Guns N Roses guitarist will guide them on a VIP tour of his favorite Zoo residents.
Laura Z. Wasserman, long time Glaza Trustee was honored for her Love of Animals – which was theme of this event. Remember, as George Eliot stated, “Animals are such agreeable friends they ask no questions, pass no criticisms.” No wonder my best friends are animals.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with Fox TV Entertainment Reporter Lauren Sanchez, and Beastly Ball honoree Laura Wasserman
Actress Betty White, Ambassador to the Animals with Friend
Pretty in Pink – Opening of ‘Legally Blonde – The Musical’
The invitation to the Opening Night of Legally Blonde – The Musical, stated, “Pink is the New Black”, so we followed suit and suited up in our pink mini dress, with matching stilettos to meet the dress code. We were joined by such sexy sisters as Scary Spice (Mel B) who brought her two little girls, Jane Seymour and Priscilla Presley, who is becoming more unrecognizable these days due to her excess plastic surgery.
Sadly missing was Reese Witherspoon, who starred in the hit movie, upon which the musical is based, but adorable Becky Gulsvig, who portrays Elle Woods, is a doppelganger for Reese, and she can dance and sing to boot! Although there are no show stopping melodies to hum on the way out of the Pantages – you do leave with a smile and sense that all is right with the world. This “feel good” show is an anecdote to the despair that many are facing today, and for a moment brings us back to bubblegum and moonbeams.
Particularly amusing is the talented Natalie Joy Johnson, who can belt a song like Ethel Merman, and kick it as high as Ann Miller. This cougar can really purr. Everyone was in a great party mood at the after-soiree at the fabulous Social Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard. A great ending to a great evening at the theatre – who could ask for anything more?
Jane Seymour – Pretty in Pink
Becky Gulsvig (who stars as Elle Woods) with her Chihuahua Bruiser
Natalie Joy Johnson with her stage dog, Rufus
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