Editor's note: The following information was submitted by The Laguna Playhouse.
Big hair, glitzy dresses, bell-bottoms and great dance tunes are some of the memories of the 1960s Motown era. All were in abundance at the recent Laguna Playhouse Motown gala, STOP IN THE NAME OF FUN.
Also in abundance was the incredible support from the 300 gala guests, 30 committee members, 30 volunteers, 20 Playhouse Board of Trustees, 36 sponsors and underwriters, and The Playhouse staff and who together made this the most successful gala yet!
“We are ecstatic! It was a perfect night. We exceeded all goals for our fundraiser this year. We almost doubled our revenue over last year’s fundraiser. The gala attracted 80 more guests and auctioned 50 more packages and baskets than last year’s event. Everyone involved gave this event their all, and the results are outstanding,” says Motown gala co-chairs Heidi Miller (a Playhouse Board of Trustee member) and Michelle Bendetti, a long-time Playhouse supporter and theatre lover.
The annual fundraising event on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at The Resort At Pelican Hill, offered gala guests a full evening featuring a catered reception, fabulous dinner, Live Auction, Silent Auction, performance by The Laguna Playhouse Conservatory Students, and entertainment by the cast of A Christmas Memory (the current show at the Playhouse). Guests danced to the Allstars Live band, who performed a repertoire of Motown Sounds including songs from Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, Smoky Robinson and The Miracles. To remember the night, guests received complimentary photos (with a Motown background) created by Elegant Photography.
The Raise Your Paddle Direct Donations to support the playhouse raised $35,700. The Live Auction raised $20,908 and featured: 1. Walk on role for The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (ABRIDGED)-two winners Lisa Hale and Suzanne Wilcox 2.Motown on Broadway New York City Trip Package. Three winners: Judi Gorski, Elliott Segal, Betsy Jenkins 3. Cabo for a Week-at a private home in Baja Mexico: Barbara Macgillivray 4. Chicago Gold Coast Get-Away with a stay in a vintage luxury apartment, theatre tickets and dining. Winner: Donnie Crevier 5. Corum Admiral’s Cup 48 Chrono Sport Luxury Timepiece. Winner: Lisa Hale 6. Raise the Paddle—many guests provided donation that directly support various productions and operations at The Playhouse. The Silent Auction, which raised $21,230, featured 120 baskets and packages for travel, dining, theatre going, photography, art, wine and tastings, Beauty, Health, Fitness, Shopping and more. Bidding was especially heavy on Tasting and Dining Menus from ReMark’s Restaurant and Marche Moderne, Golf trips and accessories, beautiful jewelry donated by a variety of Jewelry stores and artisans, and weekend getaways. Contributions were very generous for the Fund-A-Need Auction which supports Youth Theatre programs. Anticipation was heavy for the raffle prize; Janet Curci won the one week Kauai Condo Vacation.
“We are enormously grateful to the many generous Motown Gala Sponsors and Underwriters; their support enabled us to exceed our financial goals. And most importantly, introduce many new people to the joys of The Playhouse,” adds Holly Wisneski, Playhouse Director of Development.
Sponsors and Underwriters helped take the event revenues well over last year’s proceeds. Individuals and companies helping to sponsor the gala include: Cynthia Ward, Andersen Hotels, Inc., Capital Group, Timothy & Lynn Carlyle, Deborah & Cody Engle, Glenn & Kathryn Gray, Joe & Jane Hanauer, Cynthia Harriss, Maryann & Joe Herrera, Masson Family Foundation, Henry & Deborah Mayhew, James R. and Suzanne S. Mellor, Paul & Heather Singarella, Lisa Hale, Parallax Capital Partners, Otis & Joann Healy, Ken & Lynda Fischbeck, Donald & Dorothy Bendetti, Gardner Grout Foundation, Jerry & Whitney Mandel, Mike and Nancy Meyer, NuWest Insurance Services -Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Rosenberger, Patricia Griggs, Barbara Miller, Nancy Miller, Madeleine Peterson, Michelle Reinglass, Ilona Martin, Penny Pralle, Robert & Michelle Bendetti, First Republic Bank, Firebrand Media LLC, Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery, Laguna Digital.
A Motown committee, comprised of 30 community and business leaders, assisted in making the Motown-theme come to life at the event. Committee members are: Heidi Miller-co-chair and Michelle Bendetti –co-chair, Tamison Andersen, Barbara Brandt, Jacqui Cintron, Ashley Duran, Patricia Griggs, Lisa Hale, Maryann Herrera, Carol Kirk, Paul Leu, Ilona Martin, Melinda Masson, Stephanie Matwijewskyj, Suzette Merry, Barbara Miller, Heidi Miller, Leslie Anne Mogul, Diane Mondini, Justin Myers, Madeleine Peterson, Nicky Schulz, Francine Scinto, Teryll Sindell, Valerie Sokola, Temre Vouga, Holly Wisneski, Robin Woods, Caroline Wright and Judy Zeiter.
Big hair, glitzy dresses, bell-bottoms and great dance tunes are some of the memories of the 1960s Motown era. All were in abundance at the recent Laguna Playhouse Motown gala, STOP IN THE NAME OF FUN.
Also in abundance was the incredible support from the 300 gala guests, 30 committee members, 30 volunteers, 20 Playhouse Board of Trustees, 36 sponsors and underwriters, and The Playhouse staff and who together made this the most successful gala yet!
“We are ecstatic! It was a perfect night. We exceeded all goals for our fundraiser this year. We almost doubled our revenue over last year’s fundraiser. The gala attracted 80 more guests and auctioned 50 more packages and baskets than last year’s event. Everyone involved gave this event their all, and the results are outstanding,” says Motown gala co-chairs Heidi Miller (a Playhouse Board of Trustee member) and Michelle Bendetti, a long-time Playhouse supporter and theatre lover.
The annual fundraising event on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at The Resort At Pelican Hill, offered gala guests a full evening featuring a catered reception, fabulous dinner, Live Auction, Silent Auction, performance by The Laguna Playhouse Conservatory Students, and entertainment by the cast of A Christmas Memory (the current show at the Playhouse). Guests danced to the Allstars Live band, who performed a repertoire of Motown Sounds including songs from Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, Smoky Robinson and The Miracles. To remember the night, guests received complimentary photos (with a Motown background) created by Elegant Photography.
The Raise Your Paddle Direct Donations to support the playhouse raised $35,700. The Live Auction raised $20,908 and featured: 1. Walk on role for The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (ABRIDGED)-two winners Lisa Hale and Suzanne Wilcox 2.Motown on Broadway New York City Trip Package. Three winners: Judi Gorski, Elliott Segal, Betsy Jenkins 3. Cabo for a Week-at a private home in Baja Mexico: Barbara Macgillivray 4. Chicago Gold Coast Get-Away with a stay in a vintage luxury apartment, theatre tickets and dining. Winner: Donnie Crevier 5. Corum Admiral’s Cup 48 Chrono Sport Luxury Timepiece. Winner: Lisa Hale 6. Raise the Paddle—many guests provided donation that directly support various productions and operations at The Playhouse. The Silent Auction, which raised $21,230, featured 120 baskets and packages for travel, dining, theatre going, photography, art, wine and tastings, Beauty, Health, Fitness, Shopping and more. Bidding was especially heavy on Tasting and Dining Menus from ReMark’s Restaurant and Marche Moderne, Golf trips and accessories, beautiful jewelry donated by a variety of Jewelry stores and artisans, and weekend getaways. Contributions were very generous for the Fund-A-Need Auction which supports Youth Theatre programs. Anticipation was heavy for the raffle prize; Janet Curci won the one week Kauai Condo Vacation.
“We are enormously grateful to the many generous Motown Gala Sponsors and Underwriters; their support enabled us to exceed our financial goals. And most importantly, introduce many new people to the joys of The Playhouse,” adds Holly Wisneski, Playhouse Director of Development.
Sponsors and Underwriters helped take the event revenues well over last year’s proceeds. Individuals and companies helping to sponsor the gala include: Cynthia Ward, Andersen Hotels, Inc., Capital Group, Timothy & Lynn Carlyle, Deborah & Cody Engle, Glenn & Kathryn Gray, Joe & Jane Hanauer, Cynthia Harriss, Maryann & Joe Herrera, Masson Family Foundation, Henry & Deborah Mayhew, James R. and Suzanne S. Mellor, Paul & Heather Singarella, Lisa Hale, Parallax Capital Partners, Otis & Joann Healy, Ken & Lynda Fischbeck, Donald & Dorothy Bendetti, Gardner Grout Foundation, Jerry & Whitney Mandel, Mike and Nancy Meyer, NuWest Insurance Services -Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Rosenberger, Patricia Griggs, Barbara Miller, Nancy Miller, Madeleine Peterson, Michelle Reinglass, Ilona Martin, Penny Pralle, Robert & Michelle Bendetti, First Republic Bank, Firebrand Media LLC, Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery, Laguna Digital.
A Motown committee, comprised of 30 community and business leaders, assisted in making the Motown-theme come to life at the event. Committee members are: Heidi Miller-co-chair and Michelle Bendetti –co-chair, Tamison Andersen, Barbara Brandt, Jacqui Cintron, Ashley Duran, Patricia Griggs, Lisa Hale, Maryann Herrera, Carol Kirk, Paul Leu, Ilona Martin, Melinda Masson, Stephanie Matwijewskyj, Suzette Merry, Barbara Miller, Heidi Miller, Leslie Anne Mogul, Diane Mondini, Justin Myers, Madeleine Peterson, Nicky Schulz, Francine Scinto, Teryll Sindell, Valerie Sokola, Temre Vouga, Holly Wisneski, Robin Woods, Caroline Wright and Judy Zeiter.
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