The stars come out for a 'Painted Turtle' in San Francisco

It seems that at many red carpet events in San Francisco, the fashion comes in second to the actual cause of the event – and that is SF’s angle on the red carpet: philanthropy. Sure, celebs will look fancy in anything because – well – they are celebs, but it’s reassuring to see that they are mindful of the event they are supporting. It’s not necessarily about being glitzy and glamorous. It’s about being “philanthro-chic.” And last night’s benefit for Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall California camp, the Painted Turtle was no exception.

All Photos by Eric Risberg/AP

Children from The Painted Turtle camp join from left, Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, Annette Bening and Warren Beatty listen as Bonnie Raitt sings a song in tribute to Paul Newman during the curtain call for the staged reading of "The World of Nick Adams."

The cream of the crop of the celebrity world flocked to the Davies Symphony Hall to perform a staged reading of “The World of Nick Adams,” which included stories written by Ernest Hemingway and adapted for the stage by A.E. Hotchner. Backed by the music from lauded American composer, Aaron Copland, the performance supports the late actor’s children’s camp called the Painted Turtle.

Located in Camp Hughes, California, the camp gives children with life-threatening illnesses to have the “camp” experience of arts, crafts, swimming and other camp-centric recreations, but at the same time, provide around-the-clock medical care at no cost. In fact, the camp has no billing department at all.

Lou Adler, who is often seen courtside at Lakers games with Jack Nicholson, was more than ecstatic to be one of the producers of the show. More than that, he was happy to have the show hit the stage in San Francisco.

“Creatively, the (San Francisco) symphony is one of the best in the world,” says Adler. “(The show) also allows the camp to be more visible in Northern California. We have a lot of kids from Northern California that come to the camp and we have a lot of doctors that come down from Lucille Packard that come down as volunteers. It’s a sold out event – there’s not a seat in the house. San Francisco has taken us in.”

Donned in casual golfer-chic garb, Adler says that the evening’s show full of A-listers wasn’t something to be reviewed critically. It was the fact that they were here and the cause that was important.

The roster for the evening’s show was like a VIP buffet of Hollywood: Casey Affleck, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Joaquin Phoenix, Billy Crystal, Danny DeVito, Danny Glover, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Edward James Olmos, Sean Penn, Julia Roberts and Bruce Willis.

If that’s not a golden list of A-listers, then I don’t know what to tell ya.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, right, poses with his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom

In addition to that, Mayor Gavin Newsom and first lady, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, graced the event with their undying support.

“It’s a night when we can reengage people in the notion that in a time when the federal and state government can’t do it all,” says Newsom. “We are going to be asked to do more individually – to step up and step in. It’s important to have an event like this to raise money for a good cause.”

Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck make an appearance on the red carpet

Some celebs did drive-by passes through the red carpet area (Affleck and Phoenix, who opted for the grunge/scruffy-chic look), while others didn’t walk the crimson walk at all (I wish I would’ve been able to talk to you Mr. Beatty).

Having been seen in indie fare like “Pieces of April” and “Dear Wendy” (I made sure I told her I enjoyed both films like the groupie I am), below the radar (and talented) actor Allison Pill was a refreshing voice for the cause.

“The work (Painted Turtle) does is so important for these kids,” says actor Allison Pill who will be next seen in "Milk". “Having met some of them, it’s amazing how it affects children’s lives. Creating opportunity for them is so important and should be supported.”

But what exactly was she excited for that night?

Bonnie Raitt sings a song in tribute to Paul Newman

“I love Bonnie Raitt – I LOVE Bonnie Raitt,” her eyes widened with excitement the second time she said it. “I heard her singing in rehearsal. Her voice just makes me cry. I am going to be a weeping mess by the end of this.”
 

SF native, Danny Glover strikes a pose

Besides Mill Valley resident, Bonnie Raitt, other SF Bay Area natives were also on hand including Danny Glover and Tony Award nominated stage actor Manoel Feliciano.

“I’ve been aware of Paul’s charitable work for man years,” says Feliciano. “A friend’s father used to run the Hole in the Wall Gang camp in Connecticut. I was fortunate to meet (Newman) this past December. He came to a play I was doing in New York. With his passing, (this event) seems even more meaningful. It’s a wonderful cause and a wonderful piece. To have such a cast to come together and commit themselves to this is very wonderful. I feel honored to be a part of it.”

Now residing in New York, Feliciano still loves to come back to the city where he was born and raised.

“It’s great – for me, it’s more meaningful. I get to do this in front of my family and friends,” gleams Feliciano. “I always have to go to Recycled Records on Haight and Masonic – I used to work there! The owner is still there. He remembers me and welcomes me with open arms.
 

Julia Roberts and Bruce Willis chat with the press and pose at the 'Painted Turtle' event

But besides the cause of the event, there was one other common thread that made the stars align harmoniously with the evening’s event.

“Paul is my personal attachment (to the event),” says Julia Roberts – who, by the way, looked stunning in a simple pair of jeans and a peasant top. “I just wish there was something more that all of us can do. As Paul always said, they go to summer camp and feel like everybody else for however long they’re there and that’s the best thing we can do.”
 

Edward James Olmos

Danny DeVito

Edward James Olmos of "Battlestar Galactica" thought the event was not only brought awareness to the children and the needs of this organization, memorialized one of the greatest human beings. And Danny DeVito, like many others, knew that Newman was there in spirit.

“He’s one of my heroes,” adds Bruce Willis, who worked with him in the film, ‘Nobody’s Fool.' “I got to work with him when he was a grown man and he’s the perfect example in how to live your life as a grown man.”
 

Tom Hanks poses with his wife, Rita Wilson
 

Many of them, like Willis, have worked with Newman, making their connection to the cause and to the event more meaningful. For Tom Hanks, he remembers his screen time with him in 2002’s “Road to Perdition.”

“He was just a member of the ensemble,” says Hanks while running his fingers through his Robert Langdon hair. “Even on the first day of rehearsal, he said his first line and he looked at us all and said, ‘You always feel self-conscious on the first day, don’t you?’ And it’s true, because we all did – so if Paul felt that way, we all could.”

And if Paul could feel so strongly about a cause, perhaps we all could as well.