Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Celebration for Improv anything but improvised

BUDD FRIEDMAN, the youthful founder of The Improv comedy clubs and host of A&E's "Evening at the Improv," chose to celebrate the Improv's 35th anniversary with a splendid party at Harrah's Las Vegas. Celebrities and local honored guests were invited to an exclusive cocktail reception and dinner at Harrah's The Range Steakhouse.

Friedman, who is often referred to as "the Father of Comedy Clubs," and his lovely wife, Alexandria, welcomed close friends Dick Van Patten and Harvey Korman, who later assisted in ribbon-cutting ceremonies inside the newly refurbished Improv at Harrah's Las Vegas. Warmly welcomed as well was Playboy playmate-turned-comedian Barbie Benton and "Rocky" film score composer Carol Connors, who can boast of several Academy Awards and Grammys for her music.

Gene Cataldo, manager of The Range Steakhouse, personally supervised the five-course dinner, which included a tasty crab appetizer, five onion soup and entrees of free-range grilled chicken, lobster, New York steaks and swordfish. Temptations for dessert included the luscious Margrita Key Lime truffle and The Range's trademark cheesecake drenched with chocolate and fresh berries. Seen enjoying the pre-performance dinner were "Baywatch" producer Michael Berk and wife, Michele, joined by Doris Keating, who recently presented "Soap-Fest '98" in Las Vegas, and her husband, Barry Schlesinger, who is developing the rodeo-themed resort on Las Vegas Boulevard at Sahara Avenue.

Sprinkled liberally through the crowd were comics, including Troy Conrad, a regular at The Improv in Tempe, Ariz., and a finalist in The Improv's national comedy search, and Rick Rockwell who spent three days on a bike trek from the Los Angeles Improv to appear at the anniversary show at Harrah's. Anthony Clark, of NBC's "Boston Common" fame, was just one of the comedic talents who later performed. Present as well was Friedman's partner, Mark Lonow, and his longtime assistant Fran Cowan.

The Improv, which now operates in 10 cities, including a new site in London, was founded in 1963 in midtown Manhattan. It has served as a launching pad for multiple generations of comedy superstars, among them Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Joan Rivers, Tim Allen and Paul Reiser. In its earliest days, The Improv was a singers' club, where talents including Bette Midler and Barry Manilow regularly performed. The Improv at Harrah's was established in 1995 and boasts a 400-seat nightclub with state-of-the-art sound.

Another year older

Forging new standards for birthday celebrations was the recent Sandy, Jon and Jeri Show, a true production event for close friends Sandy Peltyn, Jon Tullis and Jeri Packe, a merry trio of Geminis. Their playbill invitation provided a portrait of the elegant trio and extended a wish for guests to join them for "An Evening at the Copa."

Arriving friends at the Las Vegas Country Club -- among them Bob Spinelli with Andrea Thomas, Andreas Babero, Barry Schlesinger and wife Doris Keating, Judge Fran Fine, Leanne and Alan Perlmutter, Monica Ortiz and choreographer Papote Varet with Olga Breeskin, star of "Pasion Mexicana" at the Showboat -- sipped champagne and chatted amiably, looking forward to the entertaining evening. Jack and Nancy Weinstein, Angie Wallin with Nathan Torosin, and Bill Tucker with Kathy Reynolds were among those wearing black-and-white evening apparel in keeping with the evening's vintage musical theme.

Stepping through the shimmering silver curtains to the dining room, guests were at once struck by the fanciful nature of the decorations. Black-and-white striped chair covers, enormous wall-sized pieces of sheet music and silvery music notes were just part of the detailing arranged for this party through the personal efforts of the honorees. Each of the trio chose to decorate their own chairs with scarlet fabric in contrast, with touches of the cheery red found here and there in the room for extra sparkle.

Entertainment from "Legends in Concert" performers, contortionist Undarma and South American singing star Manolo Torrente, as well as a foursome of dancing lovelies was much enjoyed by Dagny and Scott Rotheiser, Gary Longfellow, Tena Rogers with Jim Hogan, Francis and Corey Porter, Louie and Mildred Schneiderman and the Berks.

Adding their personal best wishes for this 39th birthday celebration was Roger Peltyn, joined by sons R.J. and Michael, as well as Michael's fiancee, Lisa Cote. Also speaking were Jeri's children, Ashton and Samantha Packe, and an assortment of dear friends, including Dr. Leo and Sandy Spaccavento, Helen Sax, Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber-Jacobs and Isabel Pfeifer. Following a four-course dinner and ceremonial cutting of the cake, dancing and merriment continued to the wee hours.

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