“Once upon a Time” was the theme of a steampunk evening as CenterStage transformed The J for its magical annual Light Up CenterStage gala fundraiser on Saturday evening, December 3. The building was transformed into the place to see and be seen, to indulge in a variety of hors d’oeuvres, light plates and decadent desserts, and to bid on auction items big and small.
And of course the evening wouldn’t be complete without an original Broadway revue and the announcement of lineup of shows for the 2017-18 Season. The season will include RENT, Kiss Me Kate, Jekyll and Hyde, Driving Miss Daisy, The Wild Party and Disney’s Little Mermaid.
“Thanks to everyone who supported the event,” said Light Up Chair Sarah Harlan. She was pleased that everything ran smoothly, particularly with the online bidding and the new procedures that made the evening flow well and enabled it to end on time. “It felt great,” she said, “and everybody seemed happy.
“We are appreciative of the support of all the guests, particularly for the Costume Replacement Fund,” she added. Over $12,000 was raised in that special effort alone.
The event Producing Sponsors were Hilliard Lyons, Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence, Greg and Melinda Vincenti and the Jones Family Fund.
The Marquee Sponsors were Louisville Jefferson County Metro, Highland Cleaners, Printworx and the Cralle Foundation.
The Red Carpet Sponsors were Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana, ABC Signup, Eventualities, Yum Brands Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Louisville, Platinum Travel, Tova Industries, Fifty Chairs, Heather and Chris Dremov, Yael and Zack Melzer and Sandra and Barry Stoler.
The Spotlight Sponsors were Heart to Heart Pediatric Cardiology, Heaven Hill Brands, Barbara and Dr. Gene Dorf, Dr. Lisa and Robert Klein, Margie and Bob Kohn, Denise Schiller and Jerry Fine, Alyce Weixler, Michael Clark and Toni Goldman.
The Stage Door Sponsors were John The Balloon Guy, Wilson Muir Bank, Tracee Dore Interiors, Pat and Chris Bowles, Tracee Dore-Brown, Dr. Chris and Joanna Federico, Jack and Adrienne Guercia, Mike and Sarah Harlan, Dr. and Mrs. Roy Hyman, John and Sheila Lozon, Candy Pierce and Julian and Lois Shapiro.
Funding in part for Light Up CenterStage was provided by the Kohn Berman Endowment for the Arts, the Annette Sagerman Special Events Fund and the Marian Weisberg Youth Theatre Fund.
The Light Up CenterStage Cast included Jessica Adamson, Brian Bowles, Kyle Braun, Michael Detmer, Mitch Donahue, Frank Goodloe III, Lauren McCombs, Tamika McDonald, Julie McGuffey and Kate Welsh.
CenterStage Artistic Director John R. Leffert created the show along with his team, Anne Ensign-Urteaga and Marianne Zickuhr.
Sarah Harlan is Light Up CenterStage chair. Kelly Dodd is Light Up CenterStage Auction chair. Candy Pierce is CenterStage Board chair. CenterStage Board members include Dona Boone, Jan Bowling, Kristy Calman, Carol Dines, Dr. Eugene Dorf, Virginia Evans, Frank Goodloe III, Abby Gordon, Lauren Morelli Hammond, Rusty Henle, Cindy Hytken, Anthony Johnson, Sally LaBaugh, Tom LaBaugh, Barbara Myerson Katz, Brian Martin, Rabbi Stan Miles, Sam Pilotte, Donald Platoff, Jordan Price, Larry Singer, Janet Stites, Ken Stites, Sandy Stoler, Leni Sweet, Carrie Syberg, Alyce Weixler and Michael Whatley.
