Lori Brystan‘s been working on this dream for five years.

She wanted a cool Friday night destination, something beyond the usual dancing to a DJ and drinks, something evoking the kind of grown-up fun our parents and grandparents enjoyed. Real live music, dancing, singing, dinner and drinks. Imagine seeing Ol’ Blue Eyes or Sarah Vaughan  crooning in front of a cool jazz quartet while you enjoy fine dining. Maybe you even get up for some slow dancing after dinner.

“I felt that Orange County was lacking that kind of exciting nightlife,” Brystan said.

“There were lots of places to go where you could drink and eat,” but no live performances. “No one has it all. When I’d go out with my friends I was bored.”

Brystan, the former model turned photographer, had a venue and deal back then. But it all fell through.

Still she kept at it, but recently she had come to despair the dream’s prospects.  “My friends thought I was crazy to keep at it in this recession. And right when I thought it might not work out” she got the call.

It was Moe Ghazi, owner of Code Restaurant in Newport Beach. He changed his mind and wanted to take a chance on Brystan’s production evoking 1930s supper club shows. It’s not quite burlesque — it’s classier than that. I saw a dress rehearsal Saturday and the talent was impressive. Great dancing, singing and a band to go with dinner and drinks.

“Being a professional photographer I was already creating sets. I just thought, ‘Let’s take it to the next step,’ ” Brystan said.

At first I thought she had intentionally evoked the ’30s to match the difficult times we live in. After all, many experts have said we’re experiencing the most distressed economy since the Depression. But Brystan conceived this five years ago. Still, the timing is not lost on her.

“It’s perfect timing. People need an escape,” she said.

They did during the Depression, too, which is what inspired much entertainment then.

But will it work now? Well, opening night Friday is sold out. But you can still see it May 22 and May 29. The show will expand to other nights depending on its success. It needs to pay off for Brystan. She told me she’s sunk $100,000 of her own money in this very expensive production. That’s one heck of a commitment.

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