An exuberant crowd of more than 400 Musical Theatre West supporters attended the 25th annual Broadway in the Park benefit at The Grand on August 18.
Their enthusiasm was spot on. It was a day of entertainment, delicious food, and lots of fun among MTW friends. And it benefited a good cause, too. Over the course of the evening, more than $200,000 was raised and guests learned about the 17 educational programs Musical Theatre West sponsors throughout the year, reaching more than 17,000 students.
Conversation, champagne and appetizers flowed in the Catalina Room, where over 225 silent auction items were beautifully displayed. Lively bidding brought in over $30,000. Lucky winners included Gary Kirkpatrick, who won the Duffy ride and pasta dinner for eight, donated by John Morris of Boathouse On The Bay restaurant. The chef’s tasting menu for four, donated by Michael’s Restaurant, went to Dean Garrison and Gail Meredith. Other popular items included a San Diego getaway won by Pamela Duran and a beautiful photograph by Robert Senske taken home by lucky winner Betty Cholakian.
The Jazz Angels performed at the exclusive VIP party sponsored by Joe and Edna Moore. The place was packed and several guests hit the dance floor, including newlyweds Norm and Trish Rasmussen. A special highlight was a performance by cast members of the upcoming production of “Ain’t Misbehavin.”
Guests headed to the Palm Terrace for dinner, entertainment and the live auction. Tables were decorated with exquisite orchid arrangements on purple tablecloths and yellow napkins. During the evening, guests were treated to performances of plays from the upcoming 2025 MTW season, including “Jersey Boys,” “Into the Woods,” “The Buddy Holly Story” and “Hello Dolly.”
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Prominent MTW artists graced the stage. A particular highlight of the evening were the young newsboys from MTW’s recent July production of Newsies. They delighted the audience with their show of enthusiasm and talent, selling raffle tickets, acting as observers for the live auction and performing musical numbers throughout the evening.
Led by Executive Director Paul Garman, the evening’s live auction raised over $53,000. Popular bids included a cocktail party at Kessal, Young and Logan, won by Gene and LeAnn Johnson. A Hollywood box donated by the Schulzman Neri Foundation went to Kelley Janousek, who also placed the highest bid on an Italian brunch for 25 at the home of Anthony Gagliardi.
The Winter Wonderland Holiday Dinner for 10 at Paul Garman’s beautiful Laguna Beach home overlooking the Pacific Ocean was the most popular dish of the evening. Lucky winners included Josh Krantz, Bob and Janice Dominguez, Barbara Blackwell, Kay Bailey, Carol Senske, Dian Morris, Richard Lederer, Cindy Costello, Shell Grossman and Linda Rahn. Marie O’Kelly Green won the coveted Lakers suite in the spirited closing bid for the last live auction item.
Major supporters for the evening included the Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation, Joe and Edna Moore, ACI logistix, Brian and Jana Kelly, Don Black and Judy McNulty Black, Boulevard Cadillac, Ellen Chase, Jim and Vicki Cunningham, Tony Gagliardi, Rachel Schwen, Diane Spiegel, John Thomas and Chris Launi, Joan Wells, Gordon and Ruth Dougherty Foundation, Mari Hooper, John Primrose and Rita Valentine, Schulzman-Neri Foundation, Bob and Nancy Conger, and Frank and Margie Newell.
Table sponsors included Stephanie Davis, Janice Frank, International City Bank, Gary and Sharon Kirkpatrick, Enrique Luna, Museum of Latin American Art, Dian Morris, Jane Netherton, Port of Long Beach, Mark and Suzie Price, Dottie Reiner, Marlene Temple, Visit Long Beach, Jan Hall Zolin and Board President Cynthia Terry (who had four guest tables).
MTW entertains more than 50,000 visitors annually at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the CSULB campus. MTW has two major support groups, the Musical Theatre West Guild and the Musical Theatre West Footlighters – with a total of nearly 400 members.
MTW sponsors 17 educational programs that reach more than 17,000 students. The program buses students to their weekday matinees at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, traveling shows that visit schools throughout Long Beach three times a year, and the annual Footlighter high school scholarship awards. This year, 18 students were awarded $1,000 scholarships.
Upcoming attractions at Musical Theatre West at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center include “Ain’t Misbehavin'” (October 18-November 3). The 2025 season begins with “Jersey Boys” (February 14-March 2), followed by “Into the Woods” (March 28-April 13), “The Buddy Holly Story” (July 11-27) and “Hello Dolly” (October 17-November 2).
Seen at the crime scene: Co-Chairs Suzie Price and Roxanne Korzeniowski and Committee Members: Kim Bemowski, Randall Goddard, Marnos Lelesi, Lisa Maloney, Jane Netherton, Diane Spiegel and Jan Hall Zolin. Lourdes Ramos, Dr. George and Celeste Macer, Long Beach Symphony Board Chairs Cindy Costello and Dennis Poulsen, Port of Long Beach Commissioners Bonnie Lowenthal and Evan Braude, MOLAA Board Chair Robert Braun, Carpenter Performing Arts Center Executive Director Megan Kline Crockett, Jerry Bloeser, Nancy Koblensky, Dr. Jim and Karen Wells, Jean Bixby Smith, Craig Dougherty and Jane Lastusky, Annette Kashiwabara and Marty Isozaki, Stephanie Davis, Marnos Lelesi, Jean Smith and Barbara Blackwell.
