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Saratoga Sampler
Saratogans played tour guides to ageless Millers
By Mary Ann Cook
ARTHUR MILLER COMPANION: Saratogans Alexandra and Wolfgang Hausen were the lucky couple who escorted famed playwright Arthur Miller and his photojournalist wife Inge Morath on a day jaunt through Silicon Valley when the Millers were in San Jose recently.
The two were here for a reading at San Jose State University of Miller's latest play and an exhibit of Morath's work at the Art Tech Gallery. The Hausens took the couple to the Tech Museum, where they toured the exhibits and took in the Imax movie about the deep seas, and then finished up the expedition with lunch at Spago Palo Alto.
"They were so enthusiastic and appreciative, they made me reconsider my own outlook," Alexandra says. "They were so interested in all the technology. He uses a cordless keyboard, a boon for him since he has a bad back. With this equipment he can sit in the most comfortable chair for him and continue to write. Maturity hasn't slowed these two one iota. After we dropped them off at the Fairmont they took a hike in the Grant Ranch area, and then he gave a reading that night. Such extraordinary people!"
Arthur Miller, 83, has been producing a new play at the clip of every two years. He was to leave soon for France to accept the highest award for writing given by that country, and he'll be involved in two play openings in different cities in the United States in the next few months.
His wife, 75, was slated to accept a gold medal from the city of New York soon after their return home. The Millers' daughter Rebecca is married to film star Daniel Day Lewis and she herself is a filmmaker.
"We talked about everything from Mercedes to the tragedy in Littleton," Alexandra adds. The Millers met on the set of The Misfits, and this was their first trip to Northern California. Wolfgang Hausen is with Logitech, the company that helped underwrite the Millers' trip here. Two Arthur Miller plays were in production in San Jose at the time of their visit.
OPERA WINNER: Soprano Jennifer Der Torossian of Saratoga competed in the International Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation competition in New York in April and won a cash prize ($1,000), which she will receive when she performs in concert at Lincoln Center Oct. 30 in the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation gala.
Guests will include Andrea Bocelli, Italy's singing sensation; Franco Corelli, Metropolitan tenor; Rudolph Giuliani, New York's mayor; and Roberto Benigni, writer/star of Life is Beautiful. Meanwhile, Der Torossian will sing Mimi in La Boheme on Aug. 21 and 22, part of the summer concert series at the Mountain Winery.
That performance will be produced by Bay Shore Lyric Opera Company of Capitola. Der Torossian will also play the title role of Micaela in BSLO's fall production of Carmen. She recently finished the role of Violetta Valery in La Traviata for BSLO.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: A campaign to raise money to revitalize the West Valley College theater has begun with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation leading the donations with a $250,000 challenge grant. Curtains, seats, rugs and lights will all be refurbished if the college can raise $250,000 to match the grant from the Packard Foundation.
Members of the campaign committee are Mike Fox Sr., Linda and Robert Bryan, Lon Allan, Sally Allen and Marchelle Fox.
Mike and Mary Ellen Fox are hosting a Taste of Art gala at their Saratoga home on May 19 for donors of $500 or more. Dinner is being catered by the Mission College Hospitality Management students, and entertainment is by music and theater students of West Valley.
A BLOCKBUSTER: The juried show at the Los Gatos Art Museum is the best ever, reports spokesperson Janet Kerr. The reputation of the museum show must be spreading, and a bold, bright show is the result. There were a record 350 entries.
Saratoga winners include Mary Ann Henderson, who won a second for a pastel and an honorable mention for a watercolor; and Michiko Shimoda, who won a second in ceramics. Three Los Gatans won honorable mentions: Ella Fisher for sculpture; Lisa DeWilde for watercolor; and Connie Klass for oils.
The exhibit ends May 29, and Mike Linstrom was juror.
SENIOR CENTER SLEUTHS: Sister Frevisse, Miss Marple, Kinsey Millhone and Amelia Peabody--these fictional sleuths were snooping around the Saratoga Senior Center recently. In authentic costume and carriage they elaborated on the sleuthing life.
Sans costumes, they are revealed to be Kathy Cusick, Frances Stearns, Saundra Hill and Bernice Giansiracusa. Plus Irma Jean Crouch as a Victorian private eye and as Pat Jenkins, the heroine of the Cookbook Mysteries. The group meets the third Wednesday of the month to trade mystery books and reviews.
FRAMER SPEAKS: Mark Dawson, owner of the Frame-It shop in Los Gatos, will speak at the Saratoga Contemporary Artists meeting May 25 at 7 p.m. at the Saratoga Library.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
