Sunset Stories

Suzy Goodman-Pollack's first introduction to Sunset Center came through ballet.

She studied with Lilli Selvig, a dancer from the Royal Danish Ballet, and remembers her as an intriguing, talented teacher who shared her gifts generously with her students. Suzy looked forward to every class. She kept dancing even while she was pregnant with her daughter.

Her dance life took another turn when Kim Novak was living on the Peninsula. Suzy joined Kim's Gym, the modern dance class the actress started, set to the popular music of the day. That connection led to a spot in Kim's television commercial for the American Heart Association, where the class performed its routine.

Years later, Suzy was back on the Sunset stage with her daughter, Christina-Lauren. Through the Junior League, the two helped stage An Evening of Comedy, with a buffet dinner, a silent auction and three comedians: Ant, Dat Phan and Kristen Key. Suzy and Christina introduced each one to the audience. The night went so well that they were invited back to do it again the next year.

Her family has spent many evenings in the audience at Sunset too, with Joan Rivers, Willie Nelson, Burt Bacharach and Ottmar Liebert among the favorites.

Suzy's hope for the next 100 years is that Carmel is blessed with many more evenings like those, with gifted performers on the Sunset stage and joy to share.