CHOC and awe
After a thoroughly enjoyable evening last night at Orange Coast College thrilling to the exploits of the CHOC Follies as it presented “The Princess and the Prius,” Executive Producer Gloria Zigner told a terrific story about Roger Hogan, owner of Capistrano Toyota, which donated a Prius for a raffle to benefit the children’s hospital.
“On the way in here he told me how thankful he was that he donated the car because someone he knew had a child recently who was very ill and CHOC made them well,” Zigner said.
I searched for Hogan — Gloria said he was wearing a button with his signature line, “Oh, Baby,” — because I wanted to get more details about such a wonderful story. Everyone loves a happy ending, you know?
But I couldn’t find him and I concluded it didn’t matter. He’s just one of untold numbers of people whose lives have been touched by Children’s Hospital of Orange County. It’s why so many have attended the shows and many others have gotten on stage for the CHOC Follies over the past 12 years — people like Giana Nguyen Foster, who plays Emerald Green, the lead. Giana used to work at CHOC and signed up for the follies for the first time in 2001. She had a series of smaller roles over the years and kept coming back even when she started working elsewhere. Her hobby is singing so doing the show is a terrific outlet, she said. “And what makes it even better is it’s put on for CHOC,” she added.
Gloria says they expect to gross about $500,000, and could net about $300,000. The money will be used to help pay for a classroom for the ailing kids to go to when they need an extended stay at the hospital, according to Lois Augustine, an associate producer of the follies.
Hats off to the cast, producers, directors and everyone else involved. It was a heck of a good time and — who knows? — maybe you’ll see yours truly in next year’s show. Gloria and I chatted a little about that. I blame it all on Mona — she really wants to be in the 2010 production and she’s determined to drag me in with her! I better get to a karaoke bar… Hmmm, tonight I’m going to be at the Orange County Music Awards maybe I can ask my buddy Bobbo for singing lessons…
P.S. Don’t forget the Follies finish up with a show at 8 p.m. tonight.
Singing lessons? Just get Let it Be and sing along! Oh, Let it Be by the Replacements that is!
I saw this last night, after you wrote about it – I thought I would support a good cause!
Are you really going to be in the show next year?? If so, I may have to move a few things around to join you on stage. It is so great that they were able to raise significant funds in this economy. Truly remarkable. Just shows you that the community will get together to take care of its own and your support is responsible for making that happen (I saw the preview in the paper this week).
Warmly, Laurel.