This past week, Stefanie Morse, Shannon O’Bryan, Stephen Buntrock and David Elder – the stars of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
–
paused before a performance to send Orange County their holiday greetings. Each is spending a little time away from home, but plan to have themselves a merry little Christmas, anyway. See them now through January 1 in Segerstrom Hall.
Metropolitan Opera star and Tony® Award winner Paulo Szot conducted a master class for four promising young singers at the Center last week. The singers were Emily Dyer of Chapman University, Alyssa Willis of Cal State University, Long Beach, Sepideh Moafi of UCI and Sydney Daebritz of the Orange County High School of the Arts. Each performed either a selection their operatic or musical theater repertory. (Photo above: Alyssa Willis; photo below: Sepideh Moafi)
The Guilds of Segerstrom Center for the Arts is holding its 16th Annual Holiday Toy Drive on November 29 and 30. All toys are distributed through the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Toy Drive Co-Chairs Loretta Freund and Kathy Busse are asking those wishing to make sure every child in Orange County has a wonderful holiday to bring new, unwrapped toys that are in their original manufacturer’s packaging to Segerstrom Hall between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the 29th and 30th. 
The Arts Plaza of Segerstrom Center was the starting and finish line for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, October 9. This year’s second walk from Segerstrom Center raised more than $240,000. And more than 10,000 dedicated community members participated in this inspirational 5K walk to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate people about the disease and raise funds and awareness to create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays. 
In fact, it takes about one hour and 45 minutes to become the title character in Shrek the Musical. Jesse and Kristin Wallace with their children Alison, James and Lauren, won a contest sponsored by Parenting OC magazine and were invited to watch Lukas “Shrek” Poost during his transformation. Here they are backstage on Wednesday, October 6 with Poost. Shrek is at the Center through October 16. 
Join us for a free mini-performance by the cast of Shrek the Musical at South Coast Plaza this Thursday, October 6 at 4 p.m. on the ground level of Carousel Court. Cast members will sing a selection of songs from its fun and lively score. Afterwards, cast members will be available to sign autographs and meet audience members. There will also be ticket giveaways to see Shrek the Musical during its engagement here now through October 16. 
On October 9, the American Cancer Society will hold its second annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk at Segerstrom Center. The Orange County community is invited to take part in the noncompetitive walk, which was created to celebrate survivors who have battled the disease and raise funds to fight against breast cancer. Last year, more than 80,000 people participated and raised more than $2.6 million in California. During this year’s walk, KCBS-TV anchors Paul Magers and Paul Harvey will be on hand to lend their support. To sign up or learn more about the walk, please click here. 
