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Despite Tuxedos Being MIA, Center Stage 2010 was a Class Act

Creative types just know how to party. And when the Wyly Theatre is the setting, it’s a dead giveaway that it’s going to be a memorable event. That’s what happened Saturday night for “Center Stage 2010″ celebrating the Dallas Theater Center.

The invitation set up the scene with a killer line — “Anything But Black Tie.” No doubt gentlemen guests breathed a heavy sigh of relief that their tuxedos would have the night off, but then the problem of what to wear to a gala forced men to debate the answer in their closets. Evening honoree Ted Enloe (pictured), Justin Blumoff, Wyly Theatre namesake Charles Wyly, Chad Vose (pictured), Don Carty, Ken Menges, DTC angel Hal Brierley, and others opted for the “if-I-don’t-have-to-wear-a-tie, I’m-not-gonna” look.

The ladies, on the other hand, had no problem in their selection. From tight, short cigarette skirt with killer heels to one-shoulder, to-the-floor gowns, the gals like Allison Laros (pictured) had their way.

For those in lightweight silks, they did have a bit of a challenge upon arrival as Mother Nature and her buddy Mariah literally blew into town. The twosome must have been upset that they hadn’t been invited. As guests arrived, gauzy skirts looked like tethered kites. Even the sturdiest hairsprays were challenged, but after a quick powder room visit, every hair was back in place. Gals like Lisa Runyon (pictured) looked just picture perfect despite the blustery breezes.

Due to the breeze, plans for using the esplanade for the cocktail hour were readjusted for the reception to take place in the lobby. Yes, it was a bit crowded, but, shoot,

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Shakespeare Dallas Gets a SO for Successful Six-Year Debt Relief Campaign

Don’t you just love stories with happy endings? For instance, how does this scenario sound: “On the brink of financial disaster, a dedicated group of theatrical types and supporters tighten their belts and manage to save the day for the local theater group!”

Sounds like a Judy Garland/Andy Rooney story line? Think Shakespeare Dallas.

Years ago, Shakespeare Dallas was literally on the edge of financial ruin, when a six-year debt relief campaign was put into place to save the local theatrical company. It worked.

Celebrating the success of the campaign and to thank the SD patrons, supporters, and board members, “The Defining Moment” was held at Diane and Hal Brierley‘s home.

The occasion also provided an opportunity to announced a new advisory board with Dolores Barzune, Carole Brandt, Don Stone, Diane Brierley, and Jim Moroney as founding members.

Photo provided by Shakespeare Dallas

“This is the dawn of a new day for this amazing organization,” said SD artistic/executive director Raphael Parry (pictured right with Roy Turner III, Connie Gold Parry, and Bonnie Strauss, from the left). “Few things are more important to a community than affordable access to the arts, and Shakespeare Dallas will provide that for years and years to come.”

Phantom of the Opera Cast Helps Damm Cause

Just in from Liz Cappon:

“As I’m sure you know the touring cast of Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera has hit town on their farewell tour.  Many of these cast members will soon be out of a job for the first time after being on the road for over a decade and they are combining their need to warm up their audition materials with a great cause.

Tonight Plano based theatre & non-profit PFAMILY ARTS will host a benefit featuring the Phantom cast this Monday, March 8th with proceeds being split between LakeSide Market’s PFAMILY ARTS and a local Frisco family who recently lost their father (ed. note: Steve Damm) to cancer.

The Phantom cast members will be signing costume pieces and other memorabilia for the silent auction and will meet & greet with benefit attendees after the concert.”

For more information, check the Damm family blog or email info@pfamilyarts.org.

Texas Hold-em Tournament Fundraiser for Upstart Productions

The boys over at FrontBurner love to play poker. So, who knows? They just might find their way over to Upstart Productions‘ “Texas Hold-Em Tournament Fundraiser” (pictured) on Sunday afternoon at Bryan Street Tavern.

The tournament is a fundraiser to support Upstart’s 2009-2010 season.

What’s that? Upstart is new on your radar? Where have you so been? Upstart’s Nick Orenstein like to describe it “as edgy contemporary drama in a black-box space called The Green Zone in the Dallas Design District.”

Having won the “Best of 2009″ from the Dallas Observer, Upstarts’ recent production of Talk Radio has been nominated for 6 Column Awards including “Best Play Non Equity” and “Best Actor.”

And, here you thought the only theater was at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

You can either pre-register online or registration at the tournament starting at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The games start at 4 p.m.

Give It Up! Gala Gets Standing O for The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Dallas

Due to circumstances way beyond our control (like down tree limbs blocking driveways, power outages, etc.), SweetCharity was unable to cover Saturday night’s Give It Up! Gala at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre benefiting the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Dallas. However, Eric Paulson filed this report:

Give It Up! ended its successful world premiere run at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre on Valentine’s Day. But it was the night before when Dallas showed the love. The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Dallas packed the house Saturday night for the Give It Up! Gala to benefit education and outreach programs at the Dallas Theater Center. The final tally isn’t in yet, but the event was a big success judging by the large crowd and generous silent and live auctions.

Guests filled the Wyly Theatre lobby noshing on Wolfgang Puck food and cocktails, with a tent just outside the main door providing shelter from the cold for those bidding up the myriad silent auction items. Mimes from Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts directed guests and acknowledged patrons such as the Meyer Group of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/Bank of America, the evening’s title sponsor.

Photo by Natalie Caudill

Co-chair Keith Nix (Ed. note: pictured with, from the left, Carol Meyer, mime Martha Gans, and Julie Hash) with welcomed the guests from the Wyly stage before the cheerleaders and basketball players of Give It Up! sang and danced through this updated version of the Greek play Lysistrata. (Laurie Foley was the other co-chair.) During intermission, the guests went back to the lobby to enjoy a Valentine’s dessert buffet, while auction co-chairs Kay Wilkinson and Dean Carter persuaded guests to run up the bids for the silent auction.

Photo by Natalie Caudill

Honorary co-chairs Penny Youngblood and Nancy Pearce (Ed. note: pictured center with Mike McAdams and Penny) mingled through the crowd visiting with friends and thanking patrons. After the performance, the Wyly stage became the site of a Valentine’s Day dance with DJ Jennifer Miller spinning the tunes.

Thanks, Eric, for the report and please thank Natalie for the photos. If anyone else has any other coverage notes on the event, feel free to comment.

TACA Rises To The Financial Occasion And Gives Away $1M

With final tallies for businesses and nonprofits in 2009 looking as dismal as Toyota salesmen, it’s amazing to report that one group managed to hit its projected goals. In fact, it’s a real celebration. That’s what happened Monday night at the Museum of Art when TACA in one breath announced that the group had made their million-dollar fund raising goal and in the next breath gave it all away.

TACA Chair Lynn McBee admitted that the goal looked in jeopardy around the holidays, so she decided to take a pass on a Christmas vacation and womaned the phones to make the million dollar mark. For her efforts and those of the other  dedicated TACA mainstays, 35 Dallas County performing arts groups were more than appreciative in receiving their shares of the million.

The arts groups have really been stretched to the max this past year and every cent helps. One member of the arts community confessed that many of their supporters had targeted their money to the AT&T Performing Arts Center this past year, “but that was perfectly understandable. It just made us tighten our belts a bit more than usual.”

Not only were TACA officials well aware of the financial pressures, they used it as call for action and it worked.

Here’s a breakdown of how the funds were distributed: (more…)

The Meyer Group Is “Saluted” As Title Sponsor for Give It Up! Gala

Thursday night 75 folks found a marvelously dry place to party at Mike McAdams‘ and Eric Paulson‘s home. The occasion was to  honor The Meyer Group of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Why salute them? Snap answer! The Meyer Group has stepped up to be the title sponsor  of  the Give It Up! gala on Saturday, February 13, at the Wyly Theatre. Repping The Meyer Group at the party were (pictured from the left) Cindy Herren-Sweat, Julie Hash, Gary Martin, and Carol Meyer.

Even before the musical begins, event co-chair Laurie Foley and Keith Nix (pictured) have arranged for a silent auction and reception with food by Wolfgang Puck. Following the performance, guests will be included in a cast party and a Valentine’s Day dance on the Wyly stage. Honorary co-chairs are Penny Youngblood and Nancy Pearce.

The funds raised through this event will be split between two initiatives of the Dallas Theater Center. The Gay & Lesbian Fund  for Dallas  will receive permanent recognition in the Wyly Theatre for its gift to the DTC.

According to Keith, “It will be a night of stars, from the Wyly’s architecture, to the performance to the food.”

The world premiere of Give It Up! took place Friday night at the Wyly and received glowing reviews with even a suggestion of heading to Broadway!

Besides Laurie, Keith, Penny, Eric, and Nancy, Give It Up! gala committee members are Dean Carter, Roberto De La Cruz, Tim Jivaranuntakul, Fernando Gonzalez, Rodger Kobes, Brant McFarlain, Jerrett Morris, Mark Niermann, Jay Oppenheimer, Dick Peeples, Jose Reyes, Kelly Rao, Raj Rao, Billy Rodriguez, and Kay Wilkinson.