PEACH BUZZ: Pearson shows off Broadway talents

She’s unparalleled in Atlanta for anchoring the news at WSB-TV, but on Saturday night at the gala benefiting The Lyric Theatre at the W Midtown hotel, Monica Pearson multi-tasked as co-emcee, fierce auctioneer and song-and-dance hoofer.

On stage, Pearson kicked off the evening’s festivities for the city’s only professional full-time musical theater by belting out, “Give My Regards to Broadway.”

Did we mention she was sporting a Janet Jackson-esque microphone and white tie and tails? The number ended with Pearson doing “A Chorus Line” kicks with five dancers in black tie.

“Tonight is the first time I’ve ever worn white tie and tails,” Pearson joked with us when she arrived back at her table in a chic gray skirt and jacket. “I actually had to go to a guy for help as I was getting dressed. I was trying to figure out what went where. I think the ladies may have it a little easier than the men.” Between newscasts, Pearson has been busy rehearsing for the charity event (including three rehearsals Saturday) as a favor to her longtime friend Carey Carter, the evening’s co-chair.

Later, as auctioneer, Pearson successfully negotiated $3,500 each out of a pair of donors for a Broadway-themed trip to New York. When one bidder hesitated, Pearson cracked: “This is not Marshalls!” The joke got a laugh, applause and most importantly, in these economic times, the attendee’s plastic.

Former “American Idol” Diana DeGarmo showed off her new stylish dark hair when she arrived to sing a few numbers, most notably, “Good Morning Baltimore” from Broadway’s “Hairspray,” where she recently portrayed Penny Pingleton.

“Since I only sang backup on this in this show, I’ve had to remind myself to sing the lead vocal this time!” she confided to the crowd.

There was no shortage of talent from co-chair Mary Welch Rogers either. In addition to fund-raising, the actress surprised attendees singing the title selection from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” which perhaps, not coincidentally, kicks off the Lyric’s 2008-2009 season Dec. 5 at The Strand Theatre in Marietta.

Overscene

NBA legend Julius Erving celebrating his new purchase of the former Heritage golf course in Norcross at The Palm steakhouse in Buckhead. The eatery’s general manager Willy Cellucci tells us Dr. J is renovating the 27-hole course to tournament quality and renaming it Celebrity Golf Course International. Fellow celebrants included baseball great Ken Griffey Jr., former Chicago Bear Richard Dent, former Atlanta Falcon Terrance Mathis and PGA pioneer Lee Elder. Olympian Edwin Moses, producer Jermaine Dupri and pop star Nelly also popped in to congratulate Dr. J.

Birthday on ice

When guests arrived at Q100 Bert Show producer Jeff Dauler’s private 35th birthday party at the Hard Rock Cafe downtown late Saturday night, a Skyy vodka bar was awaiting them.

Made out of solid ice.

Attendees also were treated to a photo booth, courtesy of Wow Photo Booth and a cake roughly the dimensions of Dunwoody.

Dauler’s secret weapon: his party planner and spouse Jessica Dauler, who also happens to be the businesswoman behind Jessicashops.com, a Web site that tells Atlantans where are the best bargains are.

On stage was up-and-coming Atlanta singer-songwriter Ben Deignan and his band Suburban Soul. Local music scenesters who have only caught Deignan gigging around town as a solo acoustic act, got a shock as they entered the club during the set. A wave of very tight rock n’ soul smacked fans in the face (we’re pleased to report that pressing one’s face to the surface of the Skyy bar for a few seconds relieved any lingering stinging sensation). By the time Deignan and crew closed the set, the guitar-slinging singer, a whirling dervish on stage, had soaked through his shirt.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Guitarist Gerry McGee of The Ventures is 71. Singer Gordon Lightfoot is 70. Movie director Martin Scorsese is 66. “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels is 64. Actor Dylan Walsh (“Nip/Tuck”) is 45. Actress-model Daisy Fuentes is 42. Singer Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition is 41. Guitarist Isaac Hanson of Hanson is 28. Actor Justin Cooper (“Liar, Liar”) is 20.

Contributing: News services.