The ovation began the moment Audra McDonald hit the spotlight on the Benedum Center stage. The voice, lush in the lower register and powerful as a shiny new trumpet on the upswing, was showcased in a marvelously paced performance. After an hour of blending musical theater's old and new love songs to perfection in what could only be called the art of cabaret, this three-time Tony award winning artist left us begging for more. McDonald, the gorgeous high note of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Showplace Cabaret gala, didn't rent the space ... she owned it. Friday's night on the town began with cocktails at Theater Square, PCT's newest kid on the block. Famed architect Michael Graves designed the nine-story building (as he did the next-door O'Reilly Theater) with parking galore and a knockout Jumbotron sign, ala Times Square, proclaiming its star attraction: an intimate 250-seat cabaret theater. And, how nice, a state-of-the-art box office that will be selling tickets to every performance at every theater in the Cultural District. Right, one stop does it all. Aside from the glorious mass bouquets by Toadflax gracing the entrance, we can't tell you much about the first-floor cabaret space because it was glommed in pitch blackness during the cocktail mix and mingle. No matter. A chorus of raves for Kevin McMahon 's leadership of the Trust drew an elegant, big-deal crowd to the gala with patron-level tix priced at $1,000. How did they do• Glad you asked. The eve raised nearly $400,000 without having to resort to the ubiquitous (yawn) auctions that always kill a party's momentum. We know we're preaching to the choir here, but it needs to be said: the Trust's continuing transformation of Downtown's seedy tenderloin district into a magnificent epicenter for show-stopping entertainment and the visual arts has also nurtured a rebirth of the Golden Triangle. Right this way, your table's waiting. Some 500 guests swept into the Benedum Center to the stage that shimmered in mood lighting. The dress code was black tie and, with several chic exceptions, it was a major blackout for the ladies who decorated the room. Ambience• It was as sophisticated as the setting. Soaring columns of light were dramatic counterpoints to the black scrims that draped the stage. Silvery candlesticks with black beaded shades were clustered on black velvet cloths. And for that ol' razzmatazz, feathered boas on chair backs added delicious dollops of color to the space. Simply stated, the menu was underwhelming, and it was catered by the Duquesne Club. As for the crowd, it was laced with heavies of the corporate, foundation, arts and social stripe. But the co-chairing muscle belonged to PNC's Jim Rohr and the lovely Sharon (PNC Financial was also the tippy-top sponsor along with Equitable Resources). More of the who's who: Betty and Bob Dickey ; Carol Brown ; Toto and Jim Fisher ; UPMC's Ruth and Dr. Art Levine ; Nadine Bognar ; Diane and Glen Meakem ; Sheila and Milt Fine ; Bev and Steve Elliott ; Barbara Barry and Tim Uhrich ; The Carnegie's Richard Armstrong and Alice Snyder ; Charlotte and Henry Beukema ; CLO's Van Kaplan and Mary Jane Brennan ; Opera Theatre's Mildred Posvar with Alan Fletcher and Ron Schiller ; Suzy and Jim Broadhurst ; Pittsburgh Ballet's Hal Waldman and beautiful Diane ; PSO's Tom Todd and Jamee ; Jean and Lou Astorino ; Fran and Fred Fetterolf ; Meg and George Cheever ; Carol and Bill Tillotson ; Judy and Ron Davenport ; and Kevin's bride Krisen McMahon . As well as the Soffers : Vi and Joe with Teri and Damian ; Jane Arkus ; Joan and Phil Gulley ; Carol Word and Bill Trueheart ; Dee Bold wit h Dr. Elliott Kramer and Bill Mondrak ; Tricia and Bill Kassling ; City Council prez Gene Ricciardi ; A.J. and Paul Jenkins ; Joanie and Sam Kamin ; Steve and Karen Wolk Feinstein ; WTAE's Sally Wiggin and Andy Smith ; Jill and Chuck Brodbeck ; Sally Levin ; Ellen and Jay Brooks ; Sylvia and Fred Fields ; City Theatre's Tracy Brigden and Matte Braidic ; Nancy and Milt Washington ; Debbi and Jim Diggs ; Electra and Jim Agras ; Carol and Joe Massaro ; Issie and Lee Foster ; Penny and Chuck Alpern ; Pittsburgh Opera's Christopher Hahn and Susanne Marsee ; Joan and Ken Hooper ; Marie and Peter Mulloney ; Mark Pasquerilla ; May Wang and Richard Madden ; Suzonne and Tom Smith ; Susan and Dave Matter ; Bruce Crocker and Susan Digirolamo ; Debbie and Joe Milicia ; and Sarah Nichols and Dr. John McSorley . More of the cultured: Public Theater's Ted Pappas and Kimberly Mauersberg ; Peggy and Steve McKnight ; Susan Santa-Cruz and Art Stroyd ; Pam and Ken McCrory ; Chris Beimel and Shelly Snoddy in a divine beige charmeuse gown by Genny; Nanette and Ira Gordon ; Felicia and Mark Bennett ; Merrill and Dr. Miroya Stabile ; Judy Grauer ; Barbara and Dr. Chuck Miller ; Kathy and Tony Sanzo ; Judy and David Ehrenwerth ; Richard Rauh ; Gail and Tom Murphy ; Sandy Bettor ; Marsetta and Dick Schweiger ; Rose and Dr. Mike Kutsenkow ; Janine and Tony Rychalski ; Charles and Hilary Tyson Porter ; Andrea and Glenn Mahone ; Janet Sarbaugh and Bill McAllister ; Rita and Lucian Caste ; Beth Wainwright and Russ Kemerer ; Ed Harrell and Jim Hageder ; Lori and Lou Plung ; Mollie and John Ottina of Virginia; Carol and Jim Chaplin ; Lynda Jamison ; Selma and Leon Sherman ; Kitty Hillman and Tim Condron ; Joe Wilson and Sarah Williams wearing a knockout ivory lace and silk organza strapless gown by Jeannette Russell; and Nancy Byrnes who coordinated the glam to-do. The new theater will debut in November with a wowsa production of the bard's "Twelfth Night" by none other than London's Globe Theater. Stay tuned, old chum.

Back in the Saddle

Competition's tough. Stakes are high. Which makes a 20-year winning streak even more impressive. At the top of its game, Saturday's rompin', divot-stompin' National City Family House Polo Match was the liveliest launch of the fall social season. "Time out for tack," called David Andrews , the voice of Palm Beach Polo, as he announced the absolutely ripping play-by-play chukkers between D.C.'s Potomac and the victorious (go Team Green!) Great Meadow Polo Club from the Plains of Virginia. It was also a signal for the well-shod to dive into their champagne ice buckets for a tall, cool one on this celestial weather day. The crowd was the largest in the match's 20-year history of Noble Play & Spirited Fun ... a solid volunteer effort from the giddyup. Many in tailgate territory blew their trust funds to put on a sumptuous feedbag. Caterer Susie Flannery was plating up a decadent creme brulee French toast with smoked salmon while her chef prepared omelets to order at the day's most elegant stakeout with its beautiful botanicals by Leon Sheffey and Victoria's designer silk linens. So happens it was commanded by benefit chair Marsha Deaktor (with Scott ) who was even more drop-dead gorgeous in a sassy leopard print confection from Diana Misetic's Little Black Dress. Sights were top of the line, both on and off the playing field at Hartwood Acres. Clothes horses got in touch with their inner sportswomen in polished put-together looks, body-hugging or baring numbers and hats all around. Just the thing for a brisk pony ride around the paddock. All to support Family House, an affordable home away from home for patients and their families who travel to Pittsburgh for transplants and treatments of serious illnesses. FH has housed 75,000 at its three locations since 1983 ... and all 115 guest rooms are filled every night. More than 180 trained volunteers actively staff FH each month. Afterward, Party Central rolled on to the Photo Finish bash behind the Hartwood amphitheatre. Led by Roz Neiman (with Sandy ) in a stunning tangerine suede ensemble, the horsey set sampled polo-tinis and grazed the delicious spread that was catered by Michael Lench and flowered by Tim Condron. Quel hoot ... a screen was showing film clips from old horse operas. Horsefeathers aside, we spotted National City's Tom Golonski and Ellen with new VP Todd Moules and Angie Longo ; team sponsors Christina and Rob Cochran of #1 Cochran auto fame with real estaters Mary Anne and FH board chair Hoddy Hanna (Hanna has been the Green Team sponsor for 20 years!); FH's phenom director Cindi Roth ; Mary Lou McLaughlin (she launched FH polo!) and Ish ; Greycourt's David Lovejoy ; county Exec Jim Roddey (said he was in charge of the weather); Ann and Paul Bridges ; Maggsie and Dan Sliger ; Dr. Bill Swartz and Cindy , a knockout in tan leather; Suzie Steitz ; Magee-Womens' Irma Goertzen ; Shelley and Jeff Lipton ; Steve and Helen Hanna Casey ; Annie and Dennis Cestra ; PNC's Holly Buffington with Evan Blum and Marc Zelinski ; Jeanne and Al Vallano ; Sam Zacharias ; Jan Seng ; Caryn Rubinoff and Craig Dunham ; Mary and Ted Struk ; Carol Stewart and Ian James of Red Square; UPMC's Elizabeth Concordia ; Whirl's beautiful Christine Tumpson and Jack ; Bonnie and Steve Dake ; Film Office's Dawn Keezer ; Beth and Michael Kuhn ; and Becky and Herb Torbin making their entrance in his scene-stealing '66 yellow BMW motorcycle with a side car. More: Ellie and Dr. Harvey Nieman in from D.C.; Judy and Dr. Ron Linaburg ; newlywed Maryann Bailey Fabian ; Ed Linder and Karen (smashing hat!); Dr. Susan Obagi and Mazen Youssef with Aya and Fuad ; Mary Beth and Chris Leach with their four adorables; Bobbi and Ralph Aiello ; Jean Anne Hattler ; Dennis Huber ; Patti and Sandy Berman ; Joyce McCoy ; Cathy McCollom ; Selma and Leon Sherman ; Kirk Johnson and Henry Krakovsky ; Susie Hernishin (she designed the terrific commemorative booklet!); Tom Shea ; Mary Beth Johnson ; Sam and Tom Ceponis ; Hobe and Stacey Hanna with Duffy and Dana Hanna ; Sarah and William McKelvey in from Cleveland; David Joyce ; Dr. James Kunkel ; John Chujko ; Bonnie and Steve Dake ; pols Melissa Hart and Tim Murphy ; and Dr. Mervat Abdelhak . A galloping success that raised $260,000 ... and that ain't hay.

Butterfly Honors

"This is an honor to the children we serve every day," explained Dr. Don Reigel during Saturday's Butterfly Ball at the Pittsburgh Field Club . Of course, thousands of grateful moms and dads every day thank the good doctor for pioneering life-saving surgery for babies born with spina bifida. But he gracefully directed the attention to the youngsters and adults at The Woodlands, the Bradford Woods center where people with disabilities can "imagine the possibilities" of leading full lives. Now in its second year, the soiree soared as 235 black-tie guests paid tribute to PNC Chairman Jim Rohr and Sharon for generously aiding the cause. Guiding the flight of this elegant summer's end affair, which benefits the Woodlands Foundation, were co-chairs Linda Savin , Joan Mortenson , Laurie Troutman and Jenny Kelly . From al fresco cocktails overlooking the PFC's sun-splashed greens and a spirited silent auction to dinner and dancing to Dreamscape, this butterfly earned its stylish wings. Yet, the battle goes on as spina bifida still strikes one of every 1,000 newborns in the U.S. Which is why parents such as Sally and Arch Riley , whose daughter Sarah suffers from the crippling disease, support The Woodlands' good works. Also showing their support were honorary chair Tom O'Brien and Maureen ; WF prez Peter Clakeley and Gail ; Bette and Dr. Richard King ; county exec Jim Roddey and Elin ; Cara and Chip Ganassi ; Sydelle Kessler ; Dee and John McClay ; Roseanne and Dr. Mark Wholey ; Gay Reigel ; Dee Bold with Dr. Elliott Kramer and William Modrak ; Susan and Tom Certo ; Debby and Dan Booker ; Kris and Dr. Steve Kann ; Donna and Ken Deddo ; Karen and Gusty Sunseri ; Janet and Dr. John Rocchi ; Heidi and Martin Lazor ; Aaron Savin ; Greg Mortenson ; Jeff Troutman ; Kate and Richard Begg ; and Beth Ann Fuhrer . Floats like a butterfly. -- John Altdorfer Quick Takes

Power Breakfast

More than 700 early birds -- those of the boss lady species -- flocked to the Hilton on Thursday morning for United Way's second annual Women's Leadership Initiative breakfast. Role models to a fare-thee-well, their generosity also places them in a special league as life-enhancing philanthropists. Demure they're not. Last year, they raised $1 million for UW's Impact Fund that focuses on the needs of women and children in our community. The brain trust behind WLI's 2003 campaign that's raising the bar to $1.5 million is its chair Dr. Leslie Braksick , prexy/CEO of CLG, a Pittsburgh-based strategic consulting firm. Dr. Sandie Turner of Carlow College keynoted the program for power players such as Ann McGuinn ; Pat Rooney ; Susie Johnson ; Sr. Grace Ann Geibel ; Carol MacPhail ; Dr. Cecilia Golden ; Rose Cotton ; Barbara McNees ; Suzie Broadhurst ; Mildred Morrison ; Nancy Zappala ; Marcia Barber ; Gail Koerner ; Laura Stein ; Betty Berkely ; Natalie Chetlin Moritz ; and Giant Eagle's David Shapira standing in for his wife Karen (they're chairing the 2003 UW campaign!).

Curtains Up

The stage was set Wednesday night as the Pittsburgh Playhouse of Point Park College hit the heights with a party under tent that stretched across Hamlet Street in Oakland to open the fifth season of its repertory company. Some 250 first nighters wined, grazed and then filled the adjoining Rauh Theatre for playwright Steven Dietz's political satire, "Halcyon Days." Spotted at the final curtain call: PPC prexy Dr. Katherine Henderson with Tracy ; Playhouse artistic producing director Ron Allan-Lindblom with Penny ; Richard Rauh (the theatre is named for his parents!); Nadine Bognar ; Kathleen and George White ; Drs. Ellen and Loren Roth ; Linda Esposto ; Marsetta Schweiger ; Fran and Jim Abraham ; Gertrude and Dr. Paul Caplan ; Buck Favorini ; Andrew Paul ; Martha Yanessa and Jack Tomayko ; Judy and Bob Bernadini ; and Pam Golden .

Blown Away

Friday's fickle summer wind blew cool across the city, but the Pittsburgh Glass Center heated up Penn Avenue with an open house Hot Jam . As artists demonstrated their craft in the PGC's world-class studios, swank-a-delic band Z.O.W.I.E chilled with twangy surf-inspired guitar rock classics. Caught up in the heat of the moment were PGC director Dyana Curreri-Ermatinger ; Corey LeChat ; Holly Gumbeski ; Julie Goetz and Jeff McDaniel with Noah and Charlotte ; Michelle Johnson and Michael Browne ; Karen Goldman and Efram Grail ; Deborah Weisser ; Gabi Hughes ; Stacy Martin and Brad Fischer ; Donna DiBartolomeo ; Aria Thomases ; Francine Gemperle ; Linnea Glick ; and Dr. Brian Horvath . -- J.A.

GLENDA's Feast

Saturday evening, and the city discovered the joys of Dining for Diversity with GLENDA , the Gay and Lesbian Neighborhood Development Association. Around town, 25 gracious hosts welcomed 200 guests into their homes for wining and dining to benefit GLENDA's many outreach programs that make Pittsburgh someplace special for everyone. At their service were event chair Ryan Tinn and Jim Clossin ; Colleen and Greg Coll ; George Hazimanolis ; David Jobin and Rick Taylor ; Joseph Khanh Duy Bui ; Bob Eppinger and Stephen Totter ; Deb Polk and Val Monaco ; and Michael Snow . Apres-dinner, the Mattress Factory opened its doors for desserts, where we spotted GLENDA co-founders Ray Obenza and Mike Bridges ; Louise Ketchum ; Nachum Golan and Steve Hough ; Wes Scott and Gordon Fisher ; Tim McVay ; Sara Chieffo and Tanya Margolin ; Thad Mosley with Tereneh ; and Suzy and Michael Maskarinec . -- J.A.

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