Last year’s Riverside Theatre Friends Fall Luncheon struck just the right chord, with a special musical presentation that featured the music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and left the audience clamoring for more. So this year, producing Artistic Director Allen Cornell and Musical Director Ken Clifton teamed up to produce yet another remarkable production – this time with the music of Lerner and Loewe. Two evening performances were added this year so everyone could enjoy the spectacular show.
At last Thursday’s luncheon last Thursday, co-chaired by Anita Astrachan and Judy Schneebeck, a sold-out crowd of slightly more than 500 ladies once again enjoyed an afternoon of fashionable fundraising and fabulous musical entertainment. The event was sponsored by Marlynn Scully and talent was sponsored by Nancy Goodes.
“I love the theater so much. I try to do whatever I can to help,” said Astrachan, who also provided each guest with a music-themed bottle stopper, packaged in a clever “concert hall” box. To instill an appreciation of theater in teens who might not otherwise have the experience, each year Astrachan purchases tickets to the main productions for 150 high school students in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties, even arranging a backstage pass to meet with the cast afterward.
Tables were set throughout Riverside’s Orchid Lounge and Waxlax Stage in an eye-catching black, white and red table décor, fashioned by William Bainbridge Steele Designs. Black and white cabana striped tablecloths, popped with color from red napkins, and broad-brimmed black and white hats offset by red ribbons fluttered above centerpieces of ivy and white orchids or white bouquets with red roses.
As guests arrived, there was a flurry of activity of ticket purchases at the raffle ticket table, all hoping to win wonderful prizes donated by generous local businesses, including the highlight – a tanzanite and diamond pendant courtesy of Vero Estate Jewelry.
As the ladies dined on the delicious Elizabeth Kennedy luncheon – a tropical salad trio with a lush coconut cake for dessert – they were treated to a roving fashion show coordinated by Sharon Batten, featuring designs by Tom and Linda Platt.
“Here we are again; at the best, biggest luncheon in town, the best ladies and the best theater in probably all of America!” said Batten, before introducing Platt representative Andrew Scott.
“It’s all about fashion, style, sophistication and elegance,” said Scott, adding that the designers’ motto is that life is complicated; dressing should not be.
The lovely models showing off the stunning collection were prominent locals – Mary Ellen Brophy, Sue Post, Laura Frick, Ann Dillon, Edie Dubord, Judy Cornell, Anne Gullquist, Linda Aronberg and Barbara Hotchkiss.
After the luncheon, guests were transported to the wonderful world of Lerner and Loewe, one of Broadway’s greatest collaborations, by Vero’s own great collaborative team, with Cornell directing and Clifton providing the music direction and arrangements. The ueber-talented piano duo of Clifton and Ann Shuttlesworth sat at facing pianos against a starry backdrop, playing masterfully throughout the production.
Broadway stars all, the sumptuous voices of Richard Todd Adams, Jeremiah James and Jennifer Hope Wills took a delighted audience back in time to the warmth and sophistication of enduring classics from Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, Gigi, My Fair Lady and Camelot.
More than a few women could be heard humming their favorites as they left the theater, with the delightful refrains likely lasting in their memories long into the night.
The Friends committee is the theater’s major fundraising arm, generally netting more than $500,000 through the Fall Luncheon, Supper Club and Gala special events.