BEVERLY HILLS * Movie Stars * Fancy Cars * More Movie Stars

Home ...Beverly Hills Photos

 
 
A step back and a step forward to Hollywood tradition and the Geffen Playhouse!!

A trip to Beverly Hills proved facinating. A step back into childhood memories. Visits a long time ago to my grandparents home on Roxbury Drive.

I remember as a kid staying with my grandparents in their cool Tudor style home. Pretty stained glass windows, velvety moss grasses gardens, citrus trees in the back and my grandfathers collection of books.

I also remember baking cookies and having to go to their neighbors to borrow sugar. Something unheard of today with the level of security going on.

Other changes are subtle. Even bigger homes replacing really large homes.

Fancy cars, fancy restaurants and fancy stores are everywhere. Places so famous with movie star aura that they have become famous themselves.

One such place is the Beverly Hills Hotel (1800-283-8885 or www.thebeverlyhillshotel.com ) on Sunset Boulevard. A pink palace of perfection.

The Beverly Hills Hotel is a pink Spanish Castle tale set amidst abundant green landscaping.

You are greeted by valets who are expedient and courteous. The check in fast and friendly...... but the rooms. Sumptuous!!!

The first thing you notice about your hotel room is quiet..... The whole place is quiet.

Rooms are subtly decorated with inviting seating. My room had a view of the side residential street. Even near Sunset Boulevard it was perfectly quiet. The drapes were thick, blocking all light out for sleeping. The bathroom had pale pink marble, hair dryer, huge bath tub and separate shower.

The clothing closet was well thought out with a safe and automatic light when you open the door.

Had a minor problem with the tub seal. I called for someone to fix it. I must have waited a whole 7 minutes before a polite service man showed up. He fixed the problem in 30 seconds.

Things to do at the Beverly Hills Hotel include their logo shop. Full of fun things..... even large pink ceramic dining bowls. You can now visit it online.

There is a complete workout gym that is very clean and fresh smelling. If you need a break from the latest workout equipment, there are numerous glossy magazines and freshly sqeezed orange juice and grapefruit juice for your respite.

One of my favorite things to do at the hotel is to take a dip in the pool. It's beautiful. The blue water contrasts nicely with the chaise lounges surrounding the poolside. There are cabanas awaiting your reservation and views of the gardens and the pink hotel to the blue sky are there for all.

An eager pool attendant will take care of your chaise, towels and any other need. A pool restaurant is at one end. A large jacuzzi and wall fountain at the other.

Other cool things to do are to go SHOPPING! The Beverly Hills Hotel makes it easy with complementary limo service to nearby Rodeo Drive. Other shopping or driving arrangements can be made of course.

The hotel has 2 other great places to dine besides the pool terrace.

One is the famous Polo Lounge. This place is a trip. Full of Hollywood deals, stars and fabulous food and service. The menu is so perfect and so is the service.

I had the American breakfast. Freshly squeezed sweet orange juice, freshly brewed and pressed coffee, lightly whipped scrambled eggs with apple smoked bacon...... You get the idea. The service was so good I felt like the most special person on earth.

For dinner I had caesar salad prepared table side followed by steak tartare, again prepared table side. The waiter was great and knew his dishes. He politely tailor made each dish to the amount of spice that I desired.

The night before, I went to the first annual Backstage at the Geffen event. What a fabulous fundraiser and Playhouse.

A quick 8 minute car ride and I was in Westwood at the Geffen Playhouse event.

The Geffen Playhouse was created 7 years ago by David Geffen and other community members to provide a great stage for theater and community involved theater center for children. The former Masonic Temple is a cool setting.

So was the event. I learned about the event from Jessica Padilla who used to work for the La Jolla Playhouse and now works for the Geffen Playhouse.

The Geffen's star quality starts with the ones who love to play there.

For this evening, Annette Bening and Jason Alexander were the Honorary Co-Chairs.

The evening began with a lovely supper under the stars from Tanino Ristorante. Stars posed on the red carpet and made their way to greet friends of the Geffen.

The show began with a number from "Chorus Line". The cast, petite, charming and talented scene stealers from Debbie Allen's Dance Academy in L.A...... Debbie Allen has performed before at the Geffen Playhouse.

Also performing were Peter Bonerz, Kevin Anderson and Amy Pietz, with a scene from "the Producers", Dana Delany and Kevin Kilner performed a scene from "California Suite", Neil Simon enthralled all with just being there and then added stage anecdotes, Bruce Vilanch told the most humourous Tallulah Bankhead story, Annette Bening and Jason Alexander performed a scene from "All in the Timing" which was hilarious, Jason Alexander sang at the piano, Richard Benjamin chimed in with more fun anecdotes, Martin Short, Alfre Woodrad, Rita Wilson (yes, Tom Hanks wife) Dana Delaney and Peter Bonerz performed a scene from "The Actor's Nightmare", David Hyde related interesting stories, Peter Falk joined in with more stories and the finale..... a trio of students from UCLA's School of theater, film and television sang a song from Stephen Sondheim's "Company".

If you are wondering why you weren't there, I am too ....... it was fantastic with over $90,000 raised for educational outreach programs to kids...... to learn more about the Geffen Playhouse, check them out on the web....... they are great!!!!

A not to miss Geffen's play is "The Odd Couple"!!!

Make sure to say hi to Jessica Padilla, Randy Arney and Gilbert Cates of the Geffen Playhouse!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright Margo Schwab 2002. All rights protected.

Click Beverly Photos for fun in Beverly & at the Geffen Playhouse!
 
704 Roxbury..... the house in Beverly Hills where my Daddy grew up, an erea when my grandfather and grandmother had met Roy Rogers, Mary Pickford and other "vaudeville" sorts. My grandfather, Paul E. Schwab Sr. was City Attorney for Beverly Hills and then Mayor of Beverly Hills from 1929 to 1933. My father has worked since he was the age of 14. Am I proud.....yes!!!

Away from home and need a doctor

ring TravelMed at 1-800878-3627

   

Somsi's House of Design