Gary Sinise came to the swanky Steppenwolf Theatre Gala on Saturday to “rock out,” Laurie Metcalf came to dance and Gary Cole, aka Bill Lumbergh from “Office Space,” came in jeans. More than anything, the actors came to the annual gala, held this year at Blackhawk on Halsted (1460 N. Halsted St.), to see old friends and raise money for the famous Chicago-based theater company.
“It’s like old home week,” said Metcalf, who was ready to start dancing when I caught her in the hallway. “It makes me nostalgic and champing at the bit to get back on stage.”
Metcalfe, a Steppenwolf ensemble member since 1976 and a three-time Emmy winner for her role on “Roseanne,” will be back on the big screen in this summer’s “Toy Story 3.” She’s reprising her role as the voice of Andy’s mom.
Former “CSI” star William Petersen was also in attendance (he’s in the theater’s production of “Endgame”), as was “How to Make it in America” actress Martha Plimpton and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
“Parks and Recreation” actor Nick Offerman didn’t make it, but he taped a video for the occasion and it was played during the live auction. His auction item, which included an on-set visit to “Parks,” went for $11,000, while on-set visits to Sinise’s show, “CSI: NY,” went for $25,000 and $26,000.
(According to a Steppenwolf spokesman, more than 600 guests attended the $1,000-per-ticket event and helped raise more than $1 million.)
I caught up with Sinise right before he and the Lt. Dan Band took the stage as they do every year and asked what the name of his cover band would be if he hadn’t played the character Lt. Dan in “Forrest Gump.” The Steppenwolf co-founder, wearing a leather jacket and jeans for the performance, laughed.
“We might not have a band if it wasn’t for that one,” Sinise said as he held his guitar. “I put the band together to perform for the troops. I might not have been as appealing to them if I hadn’t been in a popular movie. I’m grateful I was in a movie people like.”
About this week: Rocker Dave Navarro and his Camp Freddy bandmates will perform at artEdge, the Museum of Contemporary Art’s spring benefit, at Venue One (1044 W. Randolph St.) on Saturday. … “Access Hollywood’s” Maria Menounos will make an appearance at Self magazine’s “Workout in the Park” on Saturday in Grant Park.
Sightings: “Community” actors Danny Pudi and Donald Glover hung out at The Underground on Saturday. … Julia Roberts dined at RL restaurant with husband Danny Moder and “Eat Pray Love” director Ryan Murphy on Wednesday, while in town to tape “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” … “Project Runway” star Tim Gunn had dinner at David Burke’s Primehouse in The James Hotel on May 3. … Vince Vaughn and Kevin James took in the Blackhawks playoff game May 3 at the United Center. Ron Howard, who is in town to direct a film with Vaughn and James, visited King Cafe in The 900 Shops twice that day.
For more Luis, go to chicagotribune.com/aboutlastnight.