At The Breakers: A Gilded Age Ball Redux

The iconic poinsettia balls at the Breakers

The atrium and music room of Newport's The Breakers mansion were the setting for the lovely 34th annual Christmas Ball, hosted by The Preservation Society, with Vanderbilt descendant Gladys Szapary evoking the building’s social history, and the irrepressible Mario Cantone, of “Sex and the City” fame, adding a contemporary (and theatrical) touch.

It was the kind of evening for which the Cornelius Vanderbilts erected their Italianate palace. And not by accident was the guest list numbered at 400, echoing Mrs. Caroline Astor’s fabled "400" members of society.

Alison and Steve Walk with her mother, Marty Read

Cocktails were served on the enclosed patio and in the atrium, which was decorated beautifully for the holidays, the soaring staircase lined with
evergreen and gold, round dining tables crowded into the space.

In close quarters, friends spoke happily. Rod O’Hanley and Richard Crisson talked with Barbara Bohan, David Thalmann, Pierre and Kathy Irving, and other old friends.

Singer Kent Smith, who performed recently at Carnegie Hall with Dave Brubeck, spoke animatedly with Ms. Szapary, with Jana Jagoe looking stunning in a vintage Pierre Balmain red gown.

Rod O'Hanley with Sid and Jean Gorham

Members of the Mac Chrupcala Orchestra sounded horns as the call to dinner, which comprised squash soup, lamb, and a cheese course
of five gourmet cheeses, ending with a selection of exquisite small desserts. According to guest Donald Jagoe, it was the best dining he had experienced at a social event.

Incoming Chairman of the Board of Directors Donald Ross arrived in a traditional kilt, and talked with former Chairman Pierre Irving, in a hunting/fishing cummerbund, there with his wife Kathy. Rockwell and Patricia Stensrud were in town, John and Jae French made it up from New York City, and Barbara and Mike Caldwell’s daughter, Melissa Caldwell Quinn, flew in from London (where she regularly reads Newport Seen), Lou Fazzano and Constance Evrard chatted in the music room, Admiral Tom and Trina Weschler dined with Dr. Gary Fischer and Angela Fischer, Gary and Angela Moore looked elegant, and Trudy Coxe, President and CEO, wore a smashing red dress and was a perfect hostess.

Steve Seiter & Fred Wood Prince

After dinner, the celebrants packed the dance floor for extremely athletic and exuberant dancing. At the stroke of midnight, the music ceased, the
ball goers (Cinderellas all, and their Prince Charmings) went into the cold but clement night, and a perfect Christmas celebration ended.