The splendor of springtime was on full display at the Riverside Theatre Spring Celebration, where nearly 500 guests gathered for an enchanting evening highlighted by a performance by two Broadway stars.
Now in its sixth decade, Riverside Theatre has proudly carried on the tradition of theatrical innovation and excellence with a wealth of productions on its two stages, made possible by the generosity of its patrons. As such, the season’s renewal wasn’t just in the air – it was woven into every detail of this unforgettable event, which was co-chaired by Debbie Berghorst, Helen Cook, Sacha MacNaughton and Carol Price.
Prior to dinner, guests were wowed by performances by Derek Klena and Betsy Wolfe.
Klena recently starred on Broadway as Christian in “Moulin Rouge,” which won the Tony Award for Best Musical. He also starred in “Jagged Little Pill,” where he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He made his Broadway debut as Fiyero in the 10th anniversary company of “Wicked” and originated the role of Michael in “The Bridges of Madison County.”
Wolfe was most recently seen in the musical “& Juliet,” where she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway.
Other starring rolls included those in “Waitress,” “Falsettos” and “The Last Five Years.”
“Derek and Betsy knew each other and had performed with each other, but tonight will be the first time they perform together in this type of setting,” said Jon Moses, Riverside Theatre’s executive producer/CEO.
Wolfe opened the performance with a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother.
“I grew up in California and had accessibility to theaters, but it was my Nana who took me to the Ahmanson Community Theatre. By being involved in a community theater you never really know whose life trajectory you are going to change,” said Wolfe.
She engaged the audience singing “I need you to like me” from “Waitress” and dedicated “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” to her Nana.
Klena sang a medley of some of the favorite songs that he sings to his young children before they go to bed, as well as a song from “Sunset Boulevard.”
And, performing in perfect harmony, the duo sang selections from “Waitress,” “Wicked” and “Bridges of Madison County.”
After the memorable performance, guests were escorted to their designated dining areas to enjoy either a three-course plated dinner served at beautifully decorated tables, or a selection of heavy hors d’oeuvres served in the lounge, where graceful, curved couches were bathed in hues of blue and purple lights.
The elegant event is hosted yearly by the Riverside Theatre Friends Committee and continues to provide critical funding for the theater’s programs and productions.
For more information visit RiversideTheatre.com.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
