Fortissimo:  Music Matters II
LAUGHS A PLENTY AT NAPA VALLEY SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION’S

by TamraFox
Photography by Al Francis

Put away the laugh track - an audience of over 150 provided the authentic giggles and guffaws for the Second Annual Napa Valley Symphony Associations fund raiser “Fortissimo: Music Matters II.”  This years’ theme was a rendition of the 70’s TV classic Laugh-In was held at Vintage 1870 in Yountville.

Usually at ease in front of an orchestra, Napa Valley Symphony Music Director, Asher Raboy, provided comic relief as part of the “Not Ready for Laugh-In Players.”  Raboy portrayed the Laugh-in character of the “dirty old man” whose “slightly corked” humor earned the adept sideswipe of a  mammoth purse, delivered by Lisa Raboy.  Lisa’s portrayal of Ruth Buzzi’s character of the indignant spinster was formidable.

The highlight of the evening was the surprise video tribute made to Honorary Chairs Garen and Shari Staglin. The Staglins’ commitment to each other, their family, friends, and community is admirable. 

(Click image to view larger)
“Not Ready for Laugh-In Players”  Kate Hanni, center (as Goldie Hawn), Mel Engle and Tim Hanni as Masters of Ceremonies
	Gerri Gorney, Event Chair, Cookie Deckter, Asher Raboy, Napa Valley Symphony Music Director (as Dirty Old Man) and Lisa Raboy (as the Indignant Spinster-Ruth Buzzi)
Al Gedman (as Henry Gibson the poet) and Cookie Deckter (as Ernestine the telephone operator)
	Robert Mondavi, Shari Staglin, Honorary Co-Chair, Margrit Mondavi
Frank Forbes, Jack & Donna Morgan, Heidi Paul
	Mary Stephenson and Susan Vowell of St. Helena
Bill and Carol Kieschnick of Napa
	Julie Peacock, Napa Valley Symphony Events Coordinator and her parents Diana and Dick Peacock ham it up at a Laugh-In prop.
Shari and Garen Staglin Honorary Chairs