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DOROTHY HUFFEY MORE COLUMNS Nevada Ballet Theater Artistic Director Bruce Steivel, from left, congratulates Nancy and Kell Houssels, with the help of Elaine Wynn. PHoto by DENISE TRUSCELLO / REVIEW-JOURNAL

Tuesday, October 23, 2001
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: Dorothy Huffey

Houssels saluted prior to Nevada Ballet Theatre performance

The Nevada Ballet Theatre opened its 30th anniversary season with a gala performance Friday at the Rio's Samba Theatre.

The performance was preceded by a special tribute dinner honoring Nevada Ballet Theatre's two best supporters: Nancy and Kell Houssels. Nancy Houssels and dancer-choreographer Vassili Sulich co-founded the ballet company as Nevada Dance Theatre in 1972.

The evening began with a short reception held in the Miranda Room, where cocktails were served to guests including Colette and Sid Saltz, Marty Connelly, William Boyd, Jackie and Drake DeLanoy, Dr. Keith Boman, Maria and Ted Quirk, Pat and Sam Lionel, Susan and Irwin Molasky, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Carolyn Sparks, Helen and Harry Mortenson, Jackie Gaughan, and Lou and Jerry Emmert.

The tribute banquet followed and guests were seated at tables covered in black linens. There were crystal bowls filled with white rosebuds and rose petals about.

The master of ceremonies was Elaine Wynn, who opened the program with a video from Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Dinner was served to Kitty Rodman, Fred Nassiri, Thalia Dondero, Suzanne and Brian Cram, Barbara Greenspun, Steve Wynn, Becky Boman, Gianna and James Buchanan, Sharon Bader, Toni Hart, Larry Hart, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Debra and John Myers, Jeanne Hood, Sandy and Stanley Mallin, and dinner chairman Claudine Williams.

Nancy and Kell Houssels were toasted by friends and family with humorous anecdotes from Bill Martin, Colette Saltz, Nancy Houssels' brother Clark Wallace, Judy Silverman (Nancy Houssels' college roommate), Eric Houssels (their youngest son), and next-door neighbor and singing star Phyllis McGuire.

Other immediate family members -- son Josh Houssels, daughter Kelly Claire and Eric Houssels' wife, Sonia -- joined Nancy and Kell Houssels on this special evening.

Nancy Houssels graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in theater arts and lived in New York City. Her dance career took her to several continents as part of the famous dance team Szony & Claire. The audience especially enjoyed seeing film clips of Szony & Claire when they appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

While starring in "Follies Bergere" at the Tropicana, she met J. Kell Houssels, then president of the Tropicana. They were married in 1969.

McGuire escorted Nancy and Kell Houssels to the stage as they received a standing ovation. Looking on were Nevada Ballet Theater Artistic Director Bruce Steivel, Executive Director Harris N. Ferris and Ballet Master Sveinbjorg Alexanders.

Guests then proceeded to the Rio's Samba Theatre for the gala performance that opened with the "2002 Gala Waltz" and "Defile," a grand march across the stage to music of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, and featuring the entire company and students from the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre.

The program consisted of several thrilling pas de deux from beloved ballets including "Black Swan," "Diane and Acteon" and "Corsair." Steivel created an original work, "NKH," as a tribute to the Houssels.

There were also appearances by international ballet stars Eun-Sun Jun and Jae-Wan Hwang from Korea's Universal Ballet.

An intermission followed where all including Sandra Munley, Maureen Kane, Wendy Krat, Elaine Feldman, Dr. John and Adele Koot, Mari and Tom Landers, Janet Ferris and Shelia McKay were treated to the butler service of passed silver trays offering champagne and assorted desserts.

All Hallow's Eve ... Dr. Stephen and Linda Montoya invited guests to a Halloween party at their lovely Paradise Valley home that had been taken over by the creatures of the night.

Once guests had parked, they walked up the pathway of the isolated house where swooping vampire bats, vultures, scary spiders and flying ravens welcomed the costumed partygoers. Glimmering jack-o'-lanterns illuminated the front porch.

There was an eerie quietness until the massive front door creaked open into the home's foyer where the circular staircase covered in cobwebs was barely visible due to heavy fog.

Guests including Dr. Shelby Wilbourn, Rose Ricci, Trina Fierro, Theresa and Jerald Gillock, Nancy Schaan and Margie Wilkinson made their way through the curtained parlor where spooky characters occupied the furniture.

The dining room table covered in china and crystal was set for a dinner complete with a trembling rat on the silver platter for formally clad skeletons.

Hostess Linda Montoya dressed as a "punk" lady of the night and Stephen Montoya was a court jester who greeted guests along with R. Marcus Vennart and Randy Tuggle. The foursome were the winners of a Chefs For Kids dinner package that former chef of the year Terry Henderson of the Barbary Coast, Marie Callender's and caterer Mike Whitesides prepared and served poolside to many including Gail Huff, Jeff Richards and Robert Comeau.

Dressed as Batman was Brian Hudema. Scott Slavis was a pirate, Elsa Von Schulenberg was the regal Cleopatra and Lowell Mix was a dashing Zorro. Bob Lewis made himself into a devil and Martha Lewis was a bewitching witch. Peggy Bostian was a fireman and Becky Ogle became a saloon lady. Dr. John Kelley was a hippie and wife, Trish, was a farm girl.