It was as if the glory days of the venerable Warwick Hotel had returned Thursday night when "Frank Sinatra" joined "Barbra Streisand" on stage in the ballroom of what is now called Hotel ZaZa.
Las Vegas entertainers Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo crooned the stars' familiar tunes in credible impersonations that had many in the audience of 400 swaying in their seats. The Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine presented "Barbra & Frank: The Concert That Never Was" in a retro evening recalling the dinner clubs of the '40s and '50s.
The nod to that earlier era extended from the entertainment to the red-infused decor and the menu that featured Waldorf Salad, Lobster Thermador and filet mignon. Add Marilyn Monroe, Groucho Marx, Carmen Miranda and "cigarette" girls as additional mood enhancers. In a vintage fashion statement, more than a few gents in the mix stepped out in white dinner jackets, never mind the late-winter taboo.
Sydney and Don Faust and Cora Sue and Harry Mach chaired the upbeat, nightclub-inspired benefit that honored Margaret Alkek Williams, her second time to take bows as honoree in less than a week. Sue and Lester Smith, who have spearheaded the Partnership galas for several years past served as special event advisors. Once again, they generously matched funds raised by the evening. A super-sized check of $563,000 was presented by Partnership president Jim Pearson and the Smiths to BCM interim president and CEO Dr. William Butler and Dr. Christie Ballantyine of the DeBakey Heart Center at Baylor, recipient of the proceeds.
The gala won applause from all quarters including Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Tom Becker and J.R. Rosenfeld, Beth Madison and Dick Kuriger, Nancy and Jack Dinerstein, Jeri and Marc Shapiro, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Joelle and Steve Mach, Butch Mach, Tena and Tyson Faust and Diane and John Riley.
