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Cindy Ambuehl
Celebrities help out at Casino Royale fundraiser for SHS performing arts center
By Shari Kaplan
It'll be a bright night in the local community come Feb. 2. That evening, in and around a large, festive tent set up behind a private Los Gatos home, celebrities will be mingling, high rollers will be gambling and live music will be playing.
While it may sound like an exclusive high-society affair, it in actuality is a fundraiser to which all members of the community are invited. The event, called Casino Royale Evening with the Stars, is a benefit for the Saratoga High School Performing Arts and Lecture Center, a venue the Saratoga High School Foundation has been aspiring to build since 2000.
"Saratoga High School was built without an auditorium. A space, seating about 150, was created from one end of the cafeteria," explains Saratogan Linda Allen, who is working to publicize the fundraiser. 'The Little Theater,' as it's called on campus, is the space to which she refers--so small that it does not even have dressing rooms.
Mickey Jones
When The Little Theater is unable to accommodate events, such as school plays, Los Gatos High School's Prentiss Brown Auditorium and West Valley College's auditorium are popular alternates. However, these venues are not always available to SHS, as they are often busy holding events of their own.
Construction of an auditorium-type building to accommodate the school's successful performing arts program as well as outside speakers and events, according to Allen, is expected to cost some $7.6 million, of which $3.1 million will come from school bonds.
A capital campaign has been running since fall 2000 to raise the remainder of the cost. Between student and alumni concerts, holiday boutiques and the donations resulting from various mailings and advertisements, several million additional dollars are now lining the SHS Foundation's coffers.
Kathleen McClellan
The school's educators, students, parents and supporters hope Casino Royale will bring in even more money. Two such supporters are Los Gatans Ted and Dana Schroeder, whose children attend Saratoga High School. It is the Schroeders' home and yard that will be transformed into Casino Royale. The event's highlights are the games of chance--roulette, craps, blackjack and pai gow poker--being hosted by some 20 celebrities.
Scheduled to appear are Cindy Ambuehl of the television drama JAG and the comedy Action; Frank Bonner, who portrayed Herb Tarleck on WKRP in Cincinnati and directs many sitcoms; former New York Yankees third baseman Andy Carey; former star of Knots Landing, Nash Bridges and F/X Kevin Dobson; behavior research analyst Kelly Goldsmith--better known for winning Survivor III: Africa; Dennis Haskins, who portrayed principal Richard Belding for 11 seasons on Saved By the Bell; Leann Hunley, who held major roles in Dynasty, Days of Our Lives and Dawson's Creek; star of multiple daytime soap operas James Hyde; Mickey Jones, who has appeared in more than 100 feature films and starred as Pete Bilker in Home Improvement; and film and television actress Kathleen Kinmont, who is also a championship equestrian.
Dennis Haskins
Also there will be feature film and television star Richard Kline, who starred for seven seasons as Larry Dallas on Three's Company; star of several martial arts and action movies Martin Kove; Dr. Sammy Lee, a lifetime athlete who holds two Olympic gold medals in high diving; stand-up comedian Ron Lester, who has also appeared in the television series Popular and the film Varsity Blues; international fashion model Kathleen McClellen, who has acted in several films and has a recurring role in The Bold and the Beautiful; Don Murray, who earned an Oscar nomination for his role opposite Marilyn Monroe in the movie Bus Stop; Notre Dame footballer Rudy Ruettiger, subject of the movie Rudy; and Jim Turner, an actor in multiple films who currently portrays Kirby Carlisle on the HBO series Arli$$.
For those not preoccupied by the celebrity casino, the event also includes live and silent auctions for items such as vacations, catered dinners, autographed lithographs, gift baskets and wine--even some rare whisky donated by Sean Connery, with whom one Casino Royale benefactor is acquainted, according to Dana Schroeder. Dinner will be catered by SHS graduate Jeff Machado of Elegant Cuisine, with entertainment provided by the SHS Jazz Band and other performers.
Admission to Casino Royale Evening with the Stars is $100 per person. Dress code is black and white attire. For tickets or additional information, call 408.399.3380.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
