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,

this is a crowd of friends and soon-to-be-friends that doesn’t mind getting cozy.

It was at this point where Event Co-chair Pilar Henry‘s Spanish roots became apparent with the “Hot & Spicy  Spanish cocktails” and Conte de Loyo Flamenco Theatre dancers (pictured). Like Pilar, the drinks and dancers graciously set the tone for fun, energy, and an air of sophistication.

By the way, typical of the Henry clan, Pilar’s in-laws, Ann and John Henry (pictured right with Pilar on the left) are always on top of things. Instead of waiting til afterwards, they held a thank you party the previous Thursday at their marvelous, one-of-a-kind home to thank the 2010 underwriters of the gala. When it came time for announcements, folks were braced for the usual 15-minute comments. Instead, Pilar summed her thanks up in a two-minute “Thank you, everyone” speech. Smart gal. Smart Dallas Theater Center because it was announced at the Saturday night gala that Pilar had just been named to the DTC board.

Ah, but back to the Wyly. Just as the flamenco dancers exited the lobby via the stairs to the Potter Rose Performance Hall, guests wisely followed only to discover a beautifully decorated ballroom. You just gotta love the flexibility of the Wyly. She can remake herself to fit whatever the occasion requires.

Suspended from the ceiling were mammoth chandeliers of green, ivory, blue, yellow, and white paper lanterns (pictured). On the tables were centerpieces varying from low arrangements of white roses to three-foot high glass vases with white tulips. Hmm, the tulips provided a bit of a challenge during the evening. Not only was it difficult to see the folks on the other side of the table, but when the performance started the tulips blocked that view, too. Ah, but not to worry. The staff quickly saw the problem and seamlessly started removing high-rider centerpieces.

For foodies, a delightful dinner by Wolfgang Puck’s catering group included a chopped farmers market vegetable salad with shaved Parmesan and balsamic vinaigrette followed by slow braised short ribs with sautéed Swiss chard, baby white carrots, sweet potato puree, pan jus and flat breads and crostini.  Platters of miniature desserts were then placed on the table. Due to the lack of dessert plates, you had to pop them in your mouth or hold the second bite.

But not to worry. Everyone was having too much fun to quibble about plate ware. For instance, DTC Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty (pictured) is a true master of physical expression. Even if you couldn’t hear one word he said, you got the message just watching him. . . Speaking of being expressive, Bracewell Giuliani attorney Lauren West and Delos Investment head trader Ted Hoffman seemed to be enjoying the magic of the evening just waiting in line for refreshments. . . Yvonne Crum and Jill Rowlett (pictured) were still celebrating their chairing the “Fresh Faces of Fashion 2010″ the night before. . . Katy Menges was oh-so grateful that she brought along her shawl with the room temperature being a tad bit chilly. Ladies, remember this is Texas and a pashmina can be a lifesaver year round. Some gals were actually seen walking around in their gentleman’s jacket. Love chivalrous men in jackets.

Following dinner, former Exxon Mobil VP Frank Risch took up the mike and told the group that at Exxon when they spotted someone within the ranks that had “high potential,” they referred to them as “hy-pos.” And that’s what he called Pilar and event underwriting co-chair Barbara Page (pictured) He then went on to describe the evening’s honorees, Bess and Ted Enloe.

• “If Ted ever calls you, don’t answer.”
• “Bess (pictured) has been on the board since 1979. She and Deedie (Rose) and others have a big influence on what this group produces.”

Then it was $$ time. DTC Managing Director Mark Hadley got things going to raise funds for the various projects including the program for the Booker T. Washington students to attend performances. In no time at all, the goal was met and the DTC development staff was high-fiving each other.

After all that eating and fund raising, it was time to settle back for some entertainment that suited the occasion. It couldn’t be stuffy. It had to be clever. It had to be unique. It had to be “Whose Live Anyway.”

What? You haven’t heard of “Whose Line Is It Anyway“? Have you been watching QVC 24/7? “Whose Live Anyway” is an improv comedy ensemble like the TV show featuring Chip Esten, Ryan Stiles, Jeff B. Davis, and Greg Proops (pictured from the left) who manage to think on their feet no matter what is thrown at them. Didn’t you see them on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”  The boys actually seemed to love the challenge of being stumped by the audience’s participation. In fact there were times during their program that they seemed to be having as much fun as the audience. Even the bartenders and serving staff took a break just to watch the foursome in action.

Running jokes of the night were about “my little SL500″ and  Napoleon. We won’t go into detail here, so you’ll just have to ask one of the 350+ guests to explain. BTW, tell Chip that it sounded as if the crowd didn’t quite get who Billy Mays was.

During these times when fund raising has been challenged, it was a nice break to laugh.

Just as the applause ended the performance, the massive curtains covering the glass walls of the hall rose revealing a beautiful evening and a perfect backdrop for dancing to “MOTION.”

Outside the Wyly, Mariah was still throwing a fit. She really wanted to join the party and she let the guests know it as they headed home.

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.”

“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.

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! 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 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:

• $5,000 – Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Meadows School of the Arts – SMU, and Project X
• $6,000- Arts District Chorale
• $7,000 – Voices of Change
• $8,000 – Irving Chorale, Irving Symphony Orchestra
• $9,000 – Dallas Bach Society
• $10,000 – Orchestra of New Spain
• $11,000 – Undermain Theatre and Uptown Players
• $12,000 – Echo Theatre and Teatro Dallas
• $13,000 – Dallas Museum of Art
• $14,000 – Sammons Center for the Arts, Sammons Jazz
• $15,000 – TITAS
• $18,000 – Chamber Music International and Orpheus Chamber Singers
• $20,000 – Fine Arts Chamber Players
• $28,000 – Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas
• $30,000 – Junior Players and Theatre Three
• $32,000 – Shakespeare Dallas
• $34,000 – Dallas Wind Symphony
• $36,000 – Lyric Stage
• $41,000 – Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra
• $42,000 – WaterTower Theatre
• $45,000 – Dallas Black Dance Theatre
• $50,000 – Big Thought
• $65,000 – Dallas Children’s Theater and Texas Ballet Theater
• $90,000 – Dallas Theater Center
• $100,000 – Dallas Opera and Dallas Symphony Orchestra

It seemed a little ironic that the two largest amounts were presented to the two tallest chaps in the Horchow Auditorium (John Cody of the DO and Doug Adams of the DSO). By the way, John better get use to going on stage and accepting. He’s slated to receive TACA’s Silver Cup next month.

The only downside of the event was the auditorium that was bulging with people who were about to explode. They really wanted to applaud after each presentation, but MC Ken Travis (pictured) warned them that all appreciation would have to hold until all in the group had received their checks. Frustrating!!! But thanks to Ken’s strategy, the event was quickly over and everyone headed to Seventeen Seventeen for the reception. And we mean everyone. There was hardly room to back slap, but there were plenty of happy people like Jose Bowen (pictured), who had been the featured speaker at the presentation. He revealed that one of the lessons being taught to students of the arts at SMU was the business side of the any and all arts. . . . Doris Jacobs (pictured) looked quite pleased with the results of the evening in a black Dolce Gabanna.

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.