CHARITY/EVENT: MAY CONTAIN NUTS—WESPARK’S ANNIVERSARY FETE

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MAY CONTAIN NUTS—WESPARK’S ANNIVERSARY FETE

What a lovely night with a purpose! The All-Star Comedy Night, subtitled May Contain Nuts, was to benefit the weSPARK Cancer Support Center, a place that provides free services to cancer patients, survivors, and their families and friends. May none of us ever need it, but it’s great to know it’s there, just in case. (Hearing all about it gave me the knowledge to recommend it to a friend whose mother is going through this, and needs as much support as she can get.)

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

The posthumous honoree that night was the founder of weSPARK, Bosom Buddies actress Wendie Jo Sperber. It’s been many years now, but I still can’t believe she’s gone.  On a personal note, Wendie Jo was a wonderful fan of my TV show, Karen’s Restaurant Revue.  Let me tell you, even though I was lucky enough to hear kind words from many in LA who watched my show, it was very unusual for another “funny girl” to be so effusive in her praise of another.  It seemed that no one ever really wants to welcome a new girl into the fold.  So, that Wendie Jo was so nice to me was beyond special.  She was a rare one in the biz. And I still always feel that I’m going to run into her. Her presence is still felt. I was happy to see so many of her former castmates show up to pay tribute to her.

 Alonzo Bodden. Photo by Flo Selfman.

Alonzo Bodden. Photo by Flo Selfman.

We were all there to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center, and what better way to do that than with a beautiful reception, lots of celebs, and a wonderful comedy show, which was aptly led by Alonzo Bodden. If he had been the only one who performed that night, it would have been more than enough!

But, you know I have to go in order. The event was at the Skirball Center on Mulholland. This may be hard to believe, especially given my ethnic persuasion (Happy Rosh Hashanah, by the way, to you other Members of the Tribe,) but I had never been to an event there, and to the edifice, in general, only once! And I live right near it, to boot! Wow. It turned-out to be an excellent venue.

 Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one at the top of the page.

Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one at the top of the page.

The pre-show reception was in the outdoor courtyard area, which is adjacent to the ballroom. Drinks were flowing from a duo of bars, and the food did not stop, either. There were two buffets containing silver chafing dishes of Chinese appetizers, like duck wonton and vegetarian potstickers, and all manner of other hors d’oeuvres, (like chicken skewers and spanakopita,) were passed by an amiable staff. I absolutely fell in love with the little cups of tomato soup served with a mini-triangle of grilled cheese! OMG to that one!

Tim Matheson with Nancy Allen, the Executive Director of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center. Photo by David Palmer.

Tim Matheson with Nancy Allen, the Executive Director of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center. Photo by David Palmer.

Speaking of falling in love, I bumped into the absolutely gorgeous Tim Matheson when I was leaving the bar, (don’t get excited—I was getting just water,) and I was too struck by his beauty to think to tell him how much I miss the CW show he was on, Hart of Dixie! I actually have never even watched the final two episodes so I can trick myself into thinking it’s still on! (Talk about “may contain nuts!” With me there, this even did contain at least one!)

And the gustatory treats did not stop when we stepped inside to continue the evening. Each table contained a big platter of cookies and—what else—mixed nuts! Fun. What a clever idea. There was yet a third bar, and also a coffee and tea station, as well. Trust me—no one went home hungry from this one!

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

I don’t know if anyone else noticed, but as we entered the ballroom, the Beatles song Thank You Girl was playing.  I’m assuming that was a subtle message to Wendie Jo. What a very clever touch.

When we were all settled, Alonzo Bodden did the hosting duties, and kept us in stitches. No wonder he won a season of Last Comic Standing. That man is fun-ny! He made me proud that I had voted for him!

Many people spoke of their love and admiration for Wendie Jo, including former co-stars, and even her charming mother. Mark Walberg (the TV host, not the movie star, who has an “h” in his name,) led a rousing round of raising some more funds from audience members.

Ray Romano.  Photo by Michael Schwartz.

Ray Romano. Photo by Michael Schwartz.

And then the comedy show go underway. All the comedians were excellent.  I had heard the exact routines of Ray Romano and Wendy Liebman in live shows recently, and even though I knew what was coming, I still laughed. Jimmy Brogan had us all in stitches. Kevin Nealon and Bobby Tessel (the only non-famous one on the bill) kept the mirth going. (But Alonzo outdid them all. Not that it was a contest. Or maybe it always is with comedians. Except for that charitable night.)

Looking down on the post-show mingling. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Looking down on the post-show mingling. Photo by Karen Salkin.

They did something interesting all night, which I’m sure many guests appreciated without even knowing it. The entire time each speaker or performer was on the stage, his or her name was featured in big letters, but still subtly, on a giant screen behind them. So, there were no loud whispers of “Who’s this?,” that you hear at so many other events. Great planning!

And for a rare time, no one got up and left early. As a matter of fact, when it was all over and the lights came up, about half of the assemblage still hung around!

All in all, it was an fabulous event—great purpose, nice guest, good food, and hilarious entertainment. Maybe that’s because Wendie Jo Sperber’s kind sprit permeated it throughout.

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