The Women’s Board of the Goodman Theatre presented its 39th annual gala, this year themed “Sequins and Soul,” on May 20 at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel. Tony and Grammy Award-winning entertainer Billy Porter headlined the event that raised nearly $1 million to support the theater’s education and community engagement programs.
The evening kicked off with a reception in the International Ballroom, where over 500 black-tie-clad guests mixed and mingled. The black, pale gray and purple decor served as an elegant backdrop for model Christina Wiltjer who was spotlighted on a mini-stage wearing a pair of custom-made earrings by Nini Hale Jewels worth $50,000. The pair of earrings was featured as one of the luxury raffle items.
The entrance to the Imperial Ballroom was draped in silver silk curtains that hid dramatic decor within. At the far end of the ballroom, the Goodman name was outlined in white lights and filled the entire wall above a stage where the Gentlemen of Leisure performed after dinner. Tabletop designs featured high-low neon lighting in a variety of colors and whimsical shapes, some reaching over 4 feet tall.
Executive Director Roche Schulfer welcomed the crowd and thanked Joan E. Clifford, a board of trustees chair; Cynthia Scholl, Women’s Board president; and co-chairs Denise Ginascol, Wendy Krimins, Diane Landgren and Kristine Garrett. Linda and Peter Bynoe served as honorary co-chairs. “Everything raised tonight benefits a vast variety of programs that are all free to Chicagoland youth,” Schulfer said.
Willa Taylor, Walter Director of Education and Community Engagement, shared her excitement about a new collaboration with Disney that will launch in spring 2018.
“We have been selected to be the Chicago partner for the Disney Musicals in Schools program, which will give us the opportunity to introduce elementary school students to the phenomenal musical catalog of the Disney corporation,” Taylor explained.
“This allows us to expand our programs into elementary schools, not just high schools, and it gives us a chance to see little third- and fifth-graders wearing ears doing ‘Aristocats’ and having their noses elongated as elephants when they perform scenes from ‘Jungle Book.’ Disney will provide all of the licensing, all of the music and all of the material for a 30-minute version of their musical catalog. We provide teaching artists to work with teachers and parents in the schools to build a sustainable musical theater program for young people,” she said.
The $100,000 Disney grant will fund two years of programming in under-resourced schools.
After Taylor spoke, Billy Porter performed, including an audience participation number to Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” He chose Albert Goodman, a member of the theater’s founding family, and Peter Bynoe, a life trustee, to sing along.
Other numbers included selections from Porter’s latest album, “Billy’s Back on Broadway.” He concluded his performance with a show-stopping medley from Harvey Fierstein’s award-winning musical “Kinky Boots,” complete with the signature thigh-high red boots he wore starring as Lola in the show.
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.
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Find more photos and events at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace. Visit Candid Candace’s website at www.candidcandace.com, or follow her on Twitter @CandidCandace.
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