By Glory Weisberg
Judy and Charlie McNeil. Photos by Glory Weisberg
It was literally “An Enchanted Evening” when the Denver Center for the Performing Arts put on a spectacular Opening Night Gala as the Rodgers & Hammerstein play unfolded at the Buell Theatre after a stunningly beautiful dinner in the Seawell Ballroom.
Transformed from its regular décor, the ballroom was awash in plants reminiscent of the South Pacific. It was an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10, augmented by a birthday celebration for Seawell ballroom namesake Donald Seawell who marked his 98th birthday with cake and candles and a standing ovation. The white-haired theatrical icon just took it all in with a smile, produced by long-time DCPA supporter and board member, Judi Wolf, who sang Happy Birthday in a voice recalling Marilyn Monroe’s when she sang the tune to Mr. President John Kennedy. You should have been there.
Charlie and Judy McNeil chaired the gala. Already known for her innate talent for event décor, this time she outdid herself.
Dan Ritchie, Joy Burns, and Ed and Barbara Dwight
Onto the Buell, with the live orchestra’s first downbeat at 8:05 p.m., ending the play at precisely 11 p.m., a wonderful production that made it tough not to sing along with its familiar lyrics. It was then onto to the DCPA’s Galleria covered patio where an assortment of desserts decorated with fruit sustained the throng of supporters who’d paid $375-$500 each to attend the evening.
Encouraged to wear “tropical cocktail attire,” ladies dolled up in frocks featuring flowers and summer shades of turquoise, pink, red, green and just about every banana-belt pattern with the fellas in white dinner jackets or Tommy Bahama style open shirts. By the time dinner was done the orchids attached to hair clips at dinner tables were adorning the guys and gal’s hair and attire, making it easy to find those patrons among the theatre throng.
Donald Seawell with Judi and Marv Wolf
Dan Richie, DCPA chairman, used the occasion to announce a “Ritchie Challenge,” an effort to raise funds for the center. Ritchie promised to match donations dollar for dollar up to $500,000.
Among the beautiful people: Steve Edmonds, Kristina and Jay Davidson, Debi and Jerry Tepper, Joy Burns, Gayle and Ed Novak, Dutchess Scheitler, Lisa and Craig Johnson, Don and Arlene Mohler Johnson, Eugina Rodriguez, John Ikard, Robin and Steve Chotin, Bonnie and David Mandarich, Kelly Brough, Gina Conforti Cullen, Dr. Ted Clarke, Tony Bolazina, John Strohm and Mary Pat Link and many others who lwill never forget this truly Enchanted Evening which Ritchie told diners (was) “a record for this event for this time of year.”
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