NORTHERN LIGHTS : $30,000 in the till before curtain closes on party
Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Northwest_Profiles/207384/
FAYETTEVILLE — Organizers of the second annual TheatreSquared gala succeeded in transporting the spirit of the Big Apple to Northwest Arkansas with their Broadway-theme event the night of Nov. 3.
The evening included an elegant meal by Brick House Kitchen, a silent auction and a musical performance titled “Spotlight on Broadway.” About 160 people attended, raising about $ 30, 000 for TheatreSquared, the region’s only professional equity theater.
The cast consisted of Valerie Andrews, Kat Endsley and Jason Grimm. The show was directed by TheatreSquared associate artistic director Amy Herzberg, who also accompanied the trio on piano.
TheatreSquared associate artistic director Robert Ford also presented the group’s Premier Award to Helen Lewis and her late husband, John. Ford says the Lewises deserved the award for “generously and tirelessly nourishing the arts and culture in Northwest Arkansas.” He spoke about the contributions Helen Lewis has made to TheatreSquared since its inception and talked about the legacy left by John Lewis.
During intermission, volunteers conducted the “backer’s challenge,” asking guests to donate to one of the three remaining performances in TheatreSquared’s 2007-08 season.
The next play will be Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, which will run Nov. 23 through Dec. 9. The children’s show Noodle Doodle Box will be performed Feb. 29-March 9, and the final play of the season will be My Father’s War, which runs May 2-May 18. The backer’s challenge raised more than $ 12, 000 for the forthcoming shows.
Guests had the opportunity to bid on about 45 silent auction items, including a trip to Chicago, jewelry, pottery, home decor, artwork and gift baskets.
Tables were decorated in red and gold and centered with arrangements of red carnations. Chef David Lewis prepared appetizers of assorted imported cheeses; dried fruits and nuts; country pate and rabbit terrine; and a meal of allspice-encrusted pork tenderloin on pumpkin risotto; chicken in green mole on quinoa; farfalle with roasted vegetables; roasted brussels sprouts; turnip, orange and tarragon salad; chocolate roulade with pumpkin creme; lemon curd in phyllo shells; chipotle truffl es; and orange truffles with candied orange peel. — Kara Isham