Photos by Samantha Jane Beatty
Styling by Kate Stukenberg
Grooming by Tonya Riner for Page Parkes Agency
Models Madison Johnston for Wallflower Management and Jake Atterberry for Page Parkes Agency
Photo assistance by John Lewis
Styling assistance by Molly Jodeit
Men’s styling consulting by Cody Sever
and Whitney Wiggins for M Penner
Shot on location at Hotel Alessandra in Downtown
Becca Cason Thrash and Kenn McLaughlin
“The unforgettable night of celebration and wonder included a cocktail reception, a three-course seated dinner provided by Jackson & Company and a dance party under disco balls and DJ Mohawk spinning beats,” said a rep for Stages, adding that the ball raises nearly $1.2 million.
There was also a performance on the Gordy’s Sterling stage, featuring musical numbers from some of McLaughlin’s favorite productions over the years. Past actors performed songs from “Godspell,” “Grey Gardens,” “The Fantasticks,” and many others.
After the show, a surf-and-turf dinner was served on a sleekly decorated, tented plaza in front of the theater. The tent walls and the table florals of white dogwood branches glowed pink, a nod to McLaughlin’s favorite color — fuchsia — which guests were encouraged to wear.
One such pretty-in-pink partygoer was Becca Cason Thrash, joining hubby John, as well as Sally and Philip Edmundson and Glenda and Russell Gordy as honorary chairs. Becca, once Houston’s top party hostess and a fixture on the scene at events such as the Stages gala, lives in Paris now, so her presence was lovely surprise to many guests. She jumped on stage at the dinner to help push an auction item — a first-class trip to Paris, of course — that she helped orchestrate.
McLaughlin himself also made remarks at dinner, moving many to tears with his eloquent swan song, reminding the crowd of the power of Stages’ motto: “We sit together in the dark to know how to love each other in the light.”
George C. Lancaster, Stages board president, served as co-chair of the gala, along with Kay Bruce, Judy and Jim Nicklos, and Cabrina and Steven Owsley.
Daryl Bristow and Janet Gurwitch Bristow
Jo Furr, Russell and Glenda Gordy
Honorary Co-Chairs Sally and Philip Edmundson
Steven and Cabrina Owsley, Interim Managing Director David Schmitz, Judy and Jim Nicklos
Brandon Wilburn and Briana Conner
Kenn McLaughlin, George C. Lancaster
Dana Wolf Pauly, Erika Mandel, Stacy Soefer Gomar, Julie Atlas Taylor, Nicole Sofer Loewenstern
Dance party to end the night
Decor in tent at night
Stacy and Jason Johnson
Dozens of foodies filed in to Prime 131, the live-fire steakhouse and sushi spot from Berg Hospitality, which recently opened in a revamped industrial space called The Docks at Timbergrove. Pulling inspo from New York's trendy Meatpacking District back when it was still a tad grungy in the '90s, Prime 131 welcomed guests with Cosmopolitans and Tequila Sunrises. Bites like tuna tartare and lobster toast were passed around the space, which was a factory in a previous life, while other food was cooked over open flame at live-fire stations — Wagyu sliders and New York Strip, to name a few.
Further setting the tone for a fun night was muralist Donkeeboy, who created a New York-street-art-inspired piece onsite, and tunes from DJ Bories, who played grunge and hip-hop tracks accompanied by a live saxophone.
Besides sampling the juicy offerings fresh off the grill, guests got to try a selection of premium sashimi, nigiri and signature rolls at the sushi bar. They later wandered into the private-dining space to find an entire room dedicated to decadent desserts like mini Basque cheesecakes and citrus-meringue tarts.
Berg himself took to the mic to thank guests for supporting the opening of his thirteenth restaurant, and sent them on their way with a fire-themed swag bag (think s'mores and Palos Santos sticks).
The evening benefited Southern Smoke Foundation.
Wesley & Cassie Sinor, Lesli & John Giannukos
Alan & Roz Pactor, Robin & Tom Segesta
Ben Berg
Shephard Ross, Jonathan Levine
Shelley Ludwick, Lisa Hoover
Cindy & Allen Case
Roz & Alan Pactor
Dana Barton, Robert Clay
Russell & Stacie Jones, Lisa & Tom Laird
Disney & Max Harris
Ellie Francisco, Ben Berg, Michael Francisco
Melanie Camp
Executive Pastry Chef Ruchit Harneja, Leigh & Franck Savoy
John & Kristen Berger
Gail McCleese, Bradley Lau
Meg Reynolds, Sarah Schriever