Pizarro: Political fun at San Jose Stage Company fundraiser Tuesday, June 30, 2009 By Sal Pizzaro, Mercury News There was a packed house Monday for San Jose Stage Company's 16th annual fundraising satire, "Monday Night Live," which delivered a lot of laughs and a surprisingly small amount of raunch. Maybe that was the influence of Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr, who served as guest host and performed an almost-patriotic boogie-woogie tap dance with actresses Keite Davis, Diana Torres Koss and Halsey Varady during the show's opening. The show, which started 45 minutes late, seemed a lot shorter than usual — surprising since there are so many potential targets in Silicon Valley. The topics that got the most attention were San Jose's perennial budget woes and the city's lovelorn obsession with the Oakland A's. There also were a couple of swipes at former Mayor Tom McEnery's San Pedro Public Market plan, which were greeted by nervous chuckles by the city council members seated in the front row. San Jose Councilman Pete Constant good-naturedly lampooned his anti-porn stance for a second straight year. No ball-gag this time, but he did get a few lashes from a dominatrix's whip. Mayor Chuck Reed schmoozed during the cocktail hour but didn't stick around for the show. Actor Paul Myrvold filled in for him during a planned appearance in a risqué number, though Reed was in a taped skit in a crusade against the city's "Public Enemies" — Councilwoman Nora Campos and her husband, union leader Neil Struthers. During a "Weeknight Update" segment about reduced funding for the arts, San Jose Stage vet Lisa Recker noted that a city consultant didn't think San Jose Stage would provide a good return on the city's money. "We'll see your Grand Prix and raise you a couple of luxury condos," she retorted. And Recker took hilarious aim at Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio, who chose not to participate in the show. "The great and powerful Oz will see you now," she said, "to give you courage." Courage wasn't lacking from Team San Jose CEO Dan Fenton and Jim Cogan, Constant's chief of staff. The pair gyrated in skintight leotards in an unforgettable dance skit. But some of the most heartfelt applause wasn't for a performer but an audience member: Councilwoman Judy Chirco, who's recovering from cancer treatment. She seemed to be having a fine night out and looked great. Contact Sal Pizarro at spizarro@mercurynews.com or (408) 627-0940 and read him online at blogs.mercurynews.com/pizarro.