by Marci Weiner

Forget about American Idol! The singers on that show could not hold a candle to the slew of singers who performed at A Celebration of Reprise, an intimate evening at LACMA West. Among those belting it out were Vikki Carr, who sang her hit song from the ’60s, “It Must Be Him;” and Maureen McGovern, who warbled “Skylark,” acappella style. We’d like to see Kelly or Justin attempt that feat!

There was Sam Harris performing “Where Do I Go?” from the hit show Hair (in which he starred) but he didn’t sing it naked, as it was on Broadway. And the piece d’ resistance was the singer’s singer k.d. Lang, who sang a medley of “smoking songs” including “Don’t Smoke in Bed” and “Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray.”

As host cabaret queen Carol Cook stated, “You could never assemble such an array of singers on one stage for any price!” They were all there to honor Peter Matz, the legendary esteemed musical director who had been with Reprise since their inception. In  his honor, they  have established an education program which supports the teaching of musical theater in schools. It gives students the opportunity to discover hidden talents  and sparks a passion for music and theater within them.

In closing, Marilyn Lovell Matz (Peter’s widow) performed a haunting arrangement of “A Cockeyed Optimist” from South Pacific, which set the mood for us all. In these days it doesn’t hurt to be a cockeyed optimist, does it?

We were pleased to attend the second annual Eggstraodinary Tea Party in the luxurious Raffles L’Ermitage Living Room in Beverly Hills. Women from the entertainment industry and consulate general’s wives were invited to benefit the Entertainment Industry Foundation. In addition to schmozzing and sipping exotic teas, we were all presented with a decorated chocolate egg. The recipient who found a miniature Faberge egg inside her chocolate treat won a real Faberge egg valued at $1,100. Unfortunately we were not the winner, but did have a great time socializing with such pals as songwriter Carol Connors, Barbi Benton (who still has her Playboy bod), Anita Talbert (who carried a Faberge egg handbag) and  actress Sean Young and Joanna Cassidy from Six Feet Under. Also enjoyed chatting with former Mouseketeer Cheryl Reventlow Post who just returned with the gals from Connie Steven’s charity event in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Seems like girls just want to have fun on the Hollywood Beat.