A touch of springtime magic will be in the air when Music Theater Works holds its 2018 Gala Benefit “Magical, Musical Moments: An Evening of Sullivan, Porter and Sondheim” at the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield on Saturday, April 14.
The event will celebrate the company’s 38th season, which kicks off in June with the perennial Gilbert and Sullivan favorite, “The Pirates of Penzance.” August brings Cole Porter’s Art Deco-age musical comedy gem, “Anything Goes.” The season continues in October with “Judy Garland: Come Rain or Come Shine” starring Jeff Award-winner Angela Ingersoll, and ends in December with Stephen Sondheim’s contemporary classic, “Into the Woods.” It’s a season that promises a multitude of magical musical moments, hence the gala’s theme.
Co-chairing the event are Jefferson C. Collins of Evanston and Fran Faller of Wilmette. Members of the benefit committee include Evanstonians Pamela P. Rosenbusch, Leslie Sevcik and Mary Nicholas. Proceeds will benefit the Music Theater Works 2018 season as well as the company’s youth programs.
The event begins with a special reception (hosted by Catherine Westphal and Gary Raphael of Glencoe) honoring local actor Larry Adams, whose career has encompassed appearances on Broadway and across the country, as well as starring roles in many Music Theater Works productions, most recently as Captain Hook in December’s “Peter Pan.”
Cocktails and a silent auction will follow. The event ends with a gala dinner highlighted by musical performances throughout the evening, directed by Music Theater Works artistic director Rudy Hogenmiller, featuring stars of the upcoming season.
Tickets for “Magical, Musical Moments” are available by calling the Music Theater Works box office at (847) 920-5360. For more information on the company’s upcoming performances and events, visit MusicTheaterWorks.com.