Photo credit: Janet Donovan
A Wonderful Guy, a show tune from the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific first introduced by Mary Martin in the original Broadway production and sung by Mitzi Gaynor in the 1958 film adaptation, was the highlight of a concert-luncheon hosted by The Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Sasae at their residence over the weekend. Generations of Marriotts proudly took over the front rows while Nancy Marriott, the glamorous wife of Richard Marriott, entertained guests accompanied by her pianist David Chapman.
Nancy and Richard Marriott
Gallery photo credit: Gloria Hidalgo
The versatile soprano has appeared extensively in concert throughout the United States. In the Washington, DC area. She has performed at The National Theatre, The Barns at Wolf Trap, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Music Center at Strathmore, Constitution Hall, Anderson House, the National Gallery of Art and St. Matthew’s Cathedral.
A Wonderful Guy was enthusiastically embraced by both her husband and guests, including Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah). The connection: Both share roots in Utah, in the Mormon faith and both are heavily invested in Americans with Disabilities.
Amb. Sasae and Sen. Orin Hatch
Guests enjoyed the usual elegant buffet:
The Embassy Chef
It was a busy weekend for Ambassador and Mrs. Sasae who moved on to The Freer Gallery later that night for the Conferral Ceremony at Freer and Sackler Galleries.
Ambassador Sasae
Presentation of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon award to Dr. Julian Raby. Ceremony and reception held in conjunction with the “Sōtatsu: Making Waves” exhibition.
