PARTY LINES : STARS SHINE - AND SING - IN FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

Once a year, the Regent Beverly Wilshire turns itself into ``A Night at Sardi's,'' and Los Angeles gets to take a small bite of the Big Apple.

Sardi's, the famous New York dinner club that caters to the Broadway crowd, was chosen as the theme of the Los Angeles Alzheimer's Association because the organization's leaders knew the cummerbund crowd has grown weary of silent auctions and what volunteer director Judy Wunsch referred to as ``bouncing rubber chicken dinners.''

``We wanted something really different, a real show instead of just a bunch of testimonial speeches to raise money,'' she told me at the group's fund-raiser that grossed $600,000 for Alzheimer's research.

To carry off the theme, gala chairwoman Laurie Burrows Grad and her committee had guests entering the hotel's main ballroom through a pretend lobby that looked remarkably like the real Sardi's, with autographed photos of stars lining the walls. And on the stage, a number of Broadway, movie and television stars were performing songs and dances from Cole Porter's ``Anything Goes'' under the direction of Susan Dietz and Joan Stein, with glitzy costumes provided by L.A. designer Bob Mackie.

Among the performers were Lea Thompson and Linda Purl, who sang sultry solos; Jane Leeves and Harry Groener, who sang and danced to ``You're the Top''; and Joan Ryan, Cynthia Gibb and Karen Fineman, who wore matching glittery orange gowns with feather boas and sang ``It's Delovely'' - just like one of those sister acts from the '30s and '40s.

They, as well as California first lady Sharon Davis (wearing a dinner suit by her favorite designer, Pol Atteu), actress Angela Lansbury (who was stunning in a slinky garnet-colored velvet ensemble) and numerous members of the business community attended for the floor show - and to applaud the honorees.

This year, Shelley Fabares presented the Elsa Rose Fabares Award (named after her mother, who died of Alzheimer's disease) to ``Frasier'' star David Hyde Pierce, whose own father and grandfather had Alzheimer's. Totally unlike the character he plays on television, Hyde Pierce appeared shy and unpretentious, and he clearly didn't want to accept the award. ``I'll keep it and proudly display it, but I won't accept it until there is a cure for the disease,'' he told the crowd of more than 600 persons.

Maureen Reagan, daughter of former President Ronald Reagan, presented the group's Caregiver Award to former Pasadena mayor Katie Nack, and then ``Caroline in the City'' star Thompson presented Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals president Karen Katen with a trophy in recognition of the company's contributions to the medical field.

Among the Valley guests were Maureen and Larry Varnes of Porter Ranch, who said they always find ``A Night at Sardi's'' fun as well as uplifting. Larry, who's one of the voting members of the L.A. organization, said they picked Hyde Pierce because of his overwhelming committment and tireless efforts in fighting the disease and making the public more aware of it.

Like many members, Calabasas residents Chris and Mark Humphrey (he's a VP with Robinsons-May stores), got involved with the Alzheimer's organization through its support group, but they love the idea of seeing celebrities in a different dimension.

Lowell Dreyfus, owner of Trident Manufacturing in Chatsworth, echoed the same sentiments, commenting that he got involved when his father was stricken with the disease. He organized a motorcycle rally to raise money to pay the bills, which inspired the group's annual Memory Walk.

Why Memory Walk? According to Dreyfus, it's not only in memory of a loved one but to serve as a reminder to remember those who no longer can remember.

And Los Angeles Alzheimer's Association director Peter Braun of Pasadena explained that the reason the fund-raisers focus on Broadway shows is because nobody paid much attention to the disease until they learned many show-biz names were afflicted, including Meredith Wilson and Rita Hayworth.

Now, if you're thinking Alzheimer's won't affect you or your family, take note. Guests learned that it's expected to become the epidemic of the baby-boom generation. There are 4 million victims nationwide already, and 200,000 of them live in Los Angeles County.

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4 Photos

PHOTO (1) Schmoozing at the ``Night at Sardi's'' gala are Lowell Dreyfus of Chatsworth, left, and Chris and Mark Humphrey of Calabasas. The event at the Regent Beverly Wilshire raised $600,000 for the Los Angeles Alzheimer's Association projects.

Alex Berliner

(2) Partygoers at the annual Heart Ball at the Beverly Hilton included Phyllis and Angelo Mozilo of Countrywide Home Loans Inc. of Calabasas. The event starred Harry Belafonte, who entertained the crowd with old favorites such as ``Turn the World Around'' and ``Try to Remember,'' helping to raise $700,000 for the American Heart Association.

John McCoy/Daily News

(3) Actors Kristen Johnston of ``3rd Rock From the Sun,'' left, and Gil Bellows of ``Ally McBeal'' share a moment at the first annual Project A.L.S. gala that raised $750,000 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) research. It was a Hollywood affair with numerous celebrities, who awarded MovieFone's Andrew Jarecki the David Niven Award for his support of the organization's goals.

Raleigh Studios

(4) ``How I Learned to Drive'' stars Molly Ringwald and Brian Kerwin arrived together to their opening night party at Traxx Restaurant at Union Station in Los Angeles. The Paula Vogel play is running at the Music Center's Mark Taper Forum. For tickets, call [phone].

Silvia Mautner Photo