The Riverside Theatre Friends Fall Luncheon is one of the hottest tickets in town; the fashionable fundraiser selling out almost before the ink dries on the invitations. Last Thursday, roughly 480 women tripped the lights fantastic at Riverside Theatre at this year’s Riverside Goes to Hollywood-themed luncheon and performance.
Barbara Hotchkiss chaired the event, ably assisted by co-chairs Connie McGlynn and Susan Pyles.
“It looks like Hollywood, doesn’t it?” said McGlynn, crediting Pyles for the festive décor. At tables set throughout the Waxlax Theatre and Orchid Lobby, black and white checked napkins and black tablecloths were punctuated by bursts of color from red and gold tulle centerpieces anchoring gold star Mylar balloons, and black and white directors’ clappers directed ladies to their tables.
“We just had to sparkle; lots of glitz,” said Pyles, who just recently moved to Vero Beach permanently from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. “It’s just what I pictured.”
“It’s astonishing,” said Hotchkiss, looking around the rooms at the remarkable turnout.
Ladies dined on a figure-friendly, Asian-inspired salad trio catered by Elizabeth Kennedy, but diets went the way of the wind with dessert – star-studded cupcakes by Frostings.
“Only Elizabeth Kennedy can do this; the food is fabulous and the service is amazing,” said Sharon Batten, watching from backstage where she was coordinating the fashion show, as the wait staff began serving the luncheon with the fluid precision of a ballet corps. “I love this theatre.”
For the fourth year, Batten’s fashion show featured lovely Friends committee members, this time modeling Diane Snyder cashmere sweaters and scarves and Angela Alvarez handbags.
“I think I have the best job in town. I get to work with 89 women who are dedicated to making this organization better and better,” said Emily Sherwood, chair of the Riverside Theatre Friends Committee.
She added that for the third year, the entertainment had been created and produced in-house by Producing Artistic Director Allen Cornell and Musical Director Ken Clifton. “With seamless technical support from the many behind-the-scenes folks here at Riverside, Allen and Ken never fail to dazzle us with their originality, creativity and talent.”
And dazzle they did, with favorite Hollywood musical numbers performed by remarkably talented pianists Clifton and Anne Shuttlesworth, and vocalists Richard Todd Adams, John Cudia, Laura Hodos and Jennifer Hope Wills. Songs included medleys of instantly recognizable numbers from the ‘30s, ‘70s and ‘80s, as well as favorites from Disney-animated films and stirring works by John Williams. There was also a montage of signature tracks from James Bond movies and another from classic Mancini films. Just like last year, two evening performances were added so everyone could enjoy the spectacular show.
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.
