The Curtain Rises on 75 Years at the Alley with an Applause-Worthy Opening-Night Bash

Priscilla Dickson
The Curtain Rises on 75 Years at the Alley with an Applause-Worthy Opening-Night Bash

Dorian Roldan, Valerie Jalufka, Amy Benedict, Janean Lyon, Gayle Delahurt with Jessica and Bobby Matos

ONCE AGAIN, A well heeled crowd packed the ballroom of The Post Oak Hotel, this time to raise a glass — and give a standing O — to the Alley Theatre, which this season rings in its 75th year.


About 250 supporters attended the opening-night dinner, set to the live soundtrack of pianist Rob Landis, who played Broadway hits during the meal. On the menu: Braised short ribs and grilled halibut on a bed of roasted red peppers, accompanied by Jordan Chardonnay and Chapplett Mountain Cuvee Red Blend.

A 30-minute tribute video was broadcast in the ballroom, featuring Alley resident actors recalling notable past productions, all narrated by the theater's Lifetime Trustee Lois Stark.

The evening, which raised more than $650,000 to further the Alley's educational and community engagement initiatives, concluded with a lively performance by Tony- and Grammy-winning composer Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening, American Psycho) and Broadway star Jennifer Damiano, who threw in a few tunes from Noir, which will premiere on stage at the Alley early next year.

Fred Burns, Dianne McDonough and Dancie Ware

Aparna Dave and Sydney Scott

Jennifer Damiano with Duncan Sheik

Managing Director Dean Gladden with Lynn Wyatt, Kathryn Ketelsen and Artistic Director Rob Melrose

Michael and Kathleen Terracina with Christina and Steve Morse

Josephine and Phil John with daughter Elena

Natalia Syminis and Ford Hubbard

Todd Waite with Lois and George Stark

Elsie Eckert, Donna Stokes and Sidney Faust

Travis Torrence and Heath LePray

Daniel Zilkha

Parties

Lobster Bene at PostScript

THERE’S STILL TIME to reserve for Sunday, March 31. Whether brunching with kids in tow or you’re in it for the mimosas — or craving prime rib, smoked salmon and seasonal strawberry desserts served on a silver platter — H-Town has the Easter treat for every bunny.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

First Lady Barbara Bush with this year's featured author Jean Becker

ON TUESDAY, APRIL 9, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation hosts its 30th annual A Celebration of Reading at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Proceeds from the event will advance the foundation’s mission to improve the lives of children and adults through the power of literacy. For the late First Lady Barbara Bush, the ability to read, write, speak and listen, to comprehend and communicate with the world around us, was not only a fundamental human right but key to the economic health and social development of our communities.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment