Riverside Theatre celebrated its 50th anniversary in spectacular style, with more than 600 supporters attending the annual Spring Celebration Gala, hosted by the Friends committee, which featured Broadway star Kelli O’Hara.
This year’s gala committee clearly had the Midas touch, raising a record-breaking amount of more than $1 million to support the theater.
“Your generosity will help keep the golden magic of Riverside alive for the next 50 years,” said Sandy McManus, who co-chaired the event with Mike McManus, Sarah and John Banks, Sherry Ann and Ned Dayton, Bobbie Olsen, Annette and Jorge Rodriguez, Virginia and Warren Schwerin, Stephanie and Dick Solar, and Susan and Peter Solomon.
“There are many times that I walk out on the stage, and there’s nobody here. It’s empty, and just the ghost light is burning. I look around, and I can hear voices and echoes from shows past. Now, maybe I’m just imagining it, but there’s something beautiful and haunting about it,” said Allen Cornell, producing artistic director, reflecting on his 40-year career there.
“Creating theater to me is akin to having faith. A deeply held belief that what happens in this building and on its stage makes our community stronger. Stronger through the stories we tell, the speakers we hear, and the voices of the children we initiate into this ancient and revered art form,” said Cornell, reading from a letter he had written in honor of the anniversary celebration.
“On this golden anniversary, let us remember those who came before us. From the founders onward, their names engraved on plaques throughout these buildings serve as a perpetual reminder of their spirit and unselfish contributions to Riverside. If only they could be here tonight.”
Cornell said he feels the shows they produce can be viewed on par with the best regional theaters across the country, and that statistically, Riverside is one of America’s most successful continually operating theaters in a small town.
Commenting that the successes of the past 50 years were paved by the hard work and generous contributions of countless volunteers, he paid special tribute to the “indefatigable group of women” of the Friends committee.
“Thank you, ladies – truly remarkable! And thank all of you who continue to support the many activities within these walls. Take a bow, the applause is yours,” said Cornell.
Tony Award-winner Kelli O’Hara, acclaimed as one of Broadway’s greatest leading ladies, was a perfect choice to celebrate the occasion. She charmed the crowd from the moment she stepped out on the stage and opened with “Pure Imagination.”
“It’s nice to step out of the world once in a while and just go into an imaginative space,” said O’Hara. “And then I thought, ‘You’re in Vero Beach. They don’t need this, but I’m going to do it anyway.’”
She took the audience on a musical journey through favorites, including “A Cock-Eyed Optimist,” and even had the crowd singing along to “Getting to Know You.”
After satiating their cultural appetites, attendees dined on a sumptuous meal catered by Elizabeth D. Kennedy & Co. that was finished off with a chocolate marquis cake garnished with a golden balloon in honor of the grand dame’s milestone anniversary.
For more information, visit riversidetheatre.com.
Photos by Stephanie LaBaff
