Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Playhouse construction preview held at House of Blues

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999 | 9:38 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoytsimmons@prodigy.net.

High spirits and spectacular views were enjoyed from the 43rd floor of Mandalay Bay when the House of Blues Foundation recently hosted the Nevada Association for the Handicapped. A preview of Playhouse '99, the mid-morning event allowed guests to learn details on the gala evening scheduled for Oct. 9 at the Mirage. Assisting with the brief program was City Councilman Michael McDonald, as well as Brenda Doumani of "The Young and the Restless," joined by Vince Triggs, NAH's executive director.

In its fifth year the Playhouse gala is a unique showcase for local architects, engineering firms, builders and supportive businesses which design and build custom playhouses and donate them for this worthy event. These charming structures, which reflect the sponsors' diverse talents, are displayed in area malls prior to the gala and then moved to the Mirage, where the fierce bidding begins just after a gourmet dinner and silent auction. In the past the playhouses have been purchased by parents and grandparents, as well as those wishing to enhance community centers including Elaine Wynn Elementary School, Child Haven and the Candlelighters Center.

During the preview gathering, guests -- including Bud Cranor, NAH board member Tim Quillen, Carlos Collado, Karen Gott, Gordon Jacober and Lorenzo Doumani -- enjoyed a first look at the diverse architectural renderings of the playhouses now under construction. Builders for Playhouse '99 are Treasure Island Resort, Zo'Calos Custom Furniture, Caesars Palace, Harris Associates, Home Depot and Schauer Schateau, as well as Bellagio, the Desert Inn and Tate and Snyder Architects.

NAH is a Las Vegas-based nonprofit organization serving the disabled community in Southern Nevada. Services include employment training and placement, vocational training and assessment, family support services, developmental childcare, TDD distribution and supported/assisted living programs. NAH's funding is provided through public and private resources. For more information on these programs as well as the gala, please contact Angie Wallin at 870-7050.

Ranch gala

Just a few short weeks away "Miss Kitty Invites Y'all to Jeans and Jewels" will be presented at John Wasserburger's J.W. Ranch in Paradise Valley. An annual benefit for Opportunity Village and the many programs for its mentally-challenged clients, this beloved event is designed for all to enjoy a fine chuckwagon dinner, country-western music and dancing plus rodeo exhibition events, a very eclectic silent auction and top-rank raffle. Jeanne Hood is chairing the party on Sept. 11 with a hardworking committee including Jerilyn Clayton, George Togliatti, Billy Walters, Wayne Bernath, Esther Dotts and Kitty Rodman, to name just a few. Reservations are a must, so please contact Linda Smith, in Opportunity Village's development office, at 259-3700 to arrange your reservations.

Huck revisted

"Big River -- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" opened last week at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and will run on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule through Aug. 28. Phil Shelbourne, producing director, and his P.S. Productions company are responsible for this well-staged musical adventure of Huck Finn and runaway slave, Jim, who journey down the Mississippi River. Michael Andrews (Huck) has a most delightful stage presence and a winning voice well-suited to the melodious duets with Las Vegas newcomer Richard Frieson (Jim), who graced the stage earlier this season as Marcus Lycus in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

The period costumes and sets for "Big River" bring this Mark Twain classic alive and provide steady entertainment for all ages. As in the past, theatergoers are encouraged to bring a picnic supper and blanket for a pleasant evening of entertainment under the stars. Gates at the park open at 6 p.m. with performances beginning at 8 p.m. Details and ticket information are available by calling 594-PLAY.

Shoes for shelter

Step out in style and comfort during the Heart 'n' Sole drive when Discount Designer Shoes assists Shade Tree Shelter for homeless women and their children. From Friday through Aug. 26 women can clean out their closets and donate all their unwanted shoes. For each pair donated a $5 credit will be applied to the purchase of a new pair. In addition, Discount Designer Shoes will contribute $2 to Shade Tree Shelter from the sale of each pair bought with the credits. Discount Designer Shoes, at 3720 West Tropicana Ave., offers a wide range of high-end shoe designs.

Pageant party

Kicking off with a Fremont Street Experience welcome for Mrs. United States contestants, the 51 women in this super-charged competition received a red-carpet welcome from visitors and locals alike. The cocktail soiree was hosted by the Fremont, Four Queens and Fitzgeralds hotel-casinos, with media, contestants and happy visitors mingling at the casual party. The five-day pageant at the Rio hotel-casino was directed and choreographed by Papote Varet with producer Sandy Peltyn, with the final round of competition co-hosted by Nevada's Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, and Roger Peltyn of Martin and Peltyn Engineering, award-winning structural engineers of the Fremont Street Experience.

A pre-coronation cocktail party, hosted by Sandy and Roger Peltyn, in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and Larry Ruvo, of Southern Wine and Spirits, was held in the Rio's splendid new convention wing. Attendees included Chuck Evans, Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber Jacobs, Dr. Neil Carmena with Angie Wallin, Norm Johnson with Cindy Jucik, as well as Carol Spiegel with Dr. Stephanie Youngblood, Joan and Bob Deiro, Terry and Barbara Nosek, Sandy Spaccavento with her daughter, Nichole, Helen Sax and Mary and David Vail. Sprinkled through the crowd with the many contestants and their family members were judges including Jeri Packe, Gary Thurman, Craig Gilbert and Howard Jochsberger.

A highlight of the evening was a special presentation by Sandy Peltyn to Denise Ashbaugh, national spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Ashbaugh was awarded a special title of honorary Mrs. United States, complete with crown, sash, pin and proclamations. Ashbaugh, a breast cancer survivor, has undergone 31 surguries in the past nine years to battle the disease. A portion of the proceeds from the pageant will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Also present was Mrs. Nevada, Aileen Cuellar O'Shields, who was later chosen as First Runner-Up Mrs. United States. Like her fellow competitors, O'Shields was judged on family, business and charitable achievements as well as personal interviews, evening gown and swim suit competitions and state costume. The finals for the Mrs. United States pageant were taped for national broadcast this fall.