Publications & Sites 
Goodman Theatre raises $800,000 for its education & community engagement programs
Trustee Phil Clement and Women’s Board member Mary Ann Clement, both of Wilmette | Photo courtesy of Violet Dominek
{CAUSE & EVENT}
EVENT: “Le Cabaret Rouge” Black-tie gala/fundraiser
BENEFITING: Goodman Theatre’s education & community engagement programs
DATE: May 11, 2012
LOCATION: The Fairmont Chicago
ATTENDED: 600+
RAISED: $800,000
Article Extras
Updated: August 14, 2012 7:05PM
More than 600 guests experienced “joie de vivre” at “Le Cabaret Rouge,” Goodman Theatre’s black-tie gala on May 11 at The Fairmont Chicago. Co-chaired by Women’s Board members Denise Stefan Ginascol and Renee Tyree, the gala raised $800,000 to benefit the Goodman’s Education and Community Engagement programs.
Goodman Women’s Board members Denise Stefan Ginascol (Chicago) and Renee Tyree (Chicago) were this year’s Gala Co-Chairmen. Michael O’Halleran (Winnetka) was the Gala Corporate Chairman. Gala Sponsor Partners included Abbott, Sharon and Charles Angell (Glenview), BMO Harris Bank, Joan and Robert Clifford (Chicago), Ellen and Paul Gignilliat (Chicago), Ruth Ann M. Gillis and Michael J. McGuinnis (Chicago), Sondra and Denis Healy/Turtle Wax, Inc. (Winnetka), Michael and Kay O’Halleran (Winnetka) and Alice and John J. Sabl (Chicago). American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. Ruth Ann M. Gillis (Chicago) is Chairman of the Goodman Theatre Board of Trustees and Joan Clifford (Chicago) is President of the Women’s Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The evening began at 6:30 p.m. when guests arrived at The Fairmont Chicago for cocktails in the hotel’s luxurious Moulin Rouge. The French theme of the evening continued as guests were greeted by mimes and can-can dancers, and enjoyed pomme frites in cones, coconut shrimp with a mango chutney and beef Wellington with sauce béarnaise. Following cocktails, guests proceeded to the Imperial Ballroom, complete with lavishly designed tabletops and décor by Kehoe Designs for Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award-winner Laura Benanti’s performance. She immediately captivated the audience with her stage presence, comical anecdotes and pitch-perfect voice. She kicked off the show with “Broadway Baby” from Follies, followed by “Let Me Entertain You” from Gypsy, for which she won her first Tony Award. She paid homage to Stephen Sondheim with a medley of his songs, “On the Steps of the Palace” and “I Know Things Now,” from Into the Woods. Benanti shifted gears with an energetic assortment of songs, including Beyoncé’s “All the Single Ladies” and Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” She serenaded the audience with “Lovesick” from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and the soulful “Unusual Way” from the musical Nine. Benanti finished her set on a high note with two songs from The Sound of Music: “The Hills are Alive” and “Something Good.” Benanti expressed her gratitude and appreciation for youth programs in the arts, noting their importance for the future generations of artists.
Following the performance, guests enjoyed an elegant three-course dinner, beginning with a French-inspired Niçoise Salad of mixed greens, poached salmon, roasted potatoes, haricot vert, marinated tomatoes, Niçoise olives and parsley vinaigrette. Following the salad, the main course featured a garlic and parsley crust filet of beef, au gratin potatoes, glazed red pearl onions and asparagus with a red wine demiglaze sauce. Alternating desserts, blackberry mousse with blackberry coulis and vanilla bean cream with fresh berries, and a chocolate praline mousse with raspberry sauce with vanilla bean cream and fresh berries—finished the meal.
After dinner, guests were treated to dancing to music from the 14-piece group The Bill Pollack Orchestra. Gala attendees had the opportunity to purchase World Travel raffle tickets for a chance to win three pairs of American Airlines tickets to anywhere in the world and two pairs of American Airlines tickets to anywhere in the continental United States, courtesy of the American Airlines, the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. Guests who purchased World Travel raffle tickets were entered into a separate drawing for a fine Edwardian diamond brooch from the Neiman Marcus Estate Jewelry Collection. Lucky winner John Toomey took home the brooch, complete with a platinum top and yellow gold bottom filigree diamonds, circa 1910, courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
Since its inception in 1978, Goodman Theatre Women’s Board, currently under leadership of President Joan Clifford, has been a major force in raising funds for the theater through special events and projects. Members serve on committees for the annual Goodman Theatre Gala, the Goodman Auction, the Women’s Board Annual Appeal and the Community Arts and Education Committee. The Board also provides support for Capital and Endowment initiatives, both personally and through solicitations. Monies raised support all aspects of the theater—including the sponsorship of one production per season. A major initiative has been increased support for the Goodman’s productions and numerous educational community programs, which offer myriad opportunities for students and audience members of all ages. Through programs such as the Student Subscription Series for Chicago Public Schools, General Theater Studies summer program, the Cindy Bandle Young Critics theater criticism program for young women, CONTEXT: Discourse and Discussion community forums, and a theater-wide Internship Program, the Goodman and the Women’s Board strive to engage audiences in deeper explorations of the work on the Goodman’s stages.
For more information, please see GoodmanTheatre.org; like us on Facebook.com/GoodmanTheatre or and follow us at Twitter.com/GoodmanTheatre.
