Riverside Theatre’s Waxlax Stage and Orchid Lobby were transformed into a lush tropical garden for the Premiere Benefit Gala opening of its much-lauded show, West Side Story, which has extended its production through March 15.
As 365 guests were ushered up the red carpeted stairs, the J.M. Salsa Band alternated traditional salsa music with the unforgettable melodies of Leonard Bernstein and Steven Sondheim. The weather was cool and breezy as guests mingled on the outdoor patio sipping cocktails at one of Riverside’s biggest nights of the season.
“After seeing the dress rehearsal, which was truly fabulous, I know this will be one of the most favorite performances we have had here ever,” said Heidi Waxlax, Riverside Theatre Board President. “Demand for tickets has been so great, we had to extend the show for another week. Imagine that!”
Many guests had seen the musical on stages around the world and said it was a real favorite, referring to the gamut of emotions played upon as young lovers are thrust into sudden adulthood, mourning the loss of their beloved.
“Every time I think we cannot do better than the last one – we do better,” said Waxlax. “Crazy for You was the talk of the town.”
Gala co-chairs Anne Gullquist and Duhanne Tansil sought to compliment the performance with their decorating scheme for the benefit dinner.
“We gave it a Spanish touch with a very colorful look and feel,” said Gullquist. She and Lansil received high praise for the décor, as did Allen Cornell for his lighting design in the Waxlax.
An elegant filet mignon dinner, prepared by Elizabeth D. Kennedy, was served at tables accented by beautiful floral arrangements by Flowers for You. Lush plants supplied by Rock City Gardens completed the tropical décor.
“We have been a sponsor for about 35 years,” said Rhonda Lowe, owner with husband Tom of Rock City Gardens. “It started as a Leap Year Dance, Sadie Hawkins style, which Stirling Adams sponsored.”
“Every man brought two women,” said Tom Lowe with a laugh. “The benefit gala was held on the stage of the theater back then. Stirling had us bring fichus trees with lights on them and put them all around the edge of the stage so no one would fall off when they were dancing!”
Annamarie LaBella, Riverside Theatre’s special events director, credited the co-chairs and the Friends Committee for the success of the gala which ended after the show with a champagne toast as guests socialized with the cast.
“They did all the work to put this together tonight and we really couldn’t do it without them,” said LaBella, noting that fundraisers and sponsors are the reason Riverside is able to produce shows of such outstanding quality.