Theatrical Fundraiser

American Idol brings down the house at flashy Dallas theater gala

It was hard not to feel like a star at Dallas Theater Center's big fundraiser, Center Stage 2016. After being greeted by mod models in neon bodysuits and sipping champagne and cocktails in the lobby of the Winspear Opera House, attendees — who were there to support Dallas' leading regional theater company — claimed the spotlight for themselves.

Co-chairs Ann Mahowald and Melinda Johnson orchestrated a fancy and funky dining experience on the Shannon and Ted Skokos stage, putting some of the theater's most ardent supporters right where the magic happens.

Dinner sponsor Pier 1 Imports dished out a decadent three-course meal, starting with corn cakes covered in candy-striped beets and apple slivers, followed by banana-leaf-braised beef with chile sambal rice cake and stir-fried bok choy. A pretty layered parfait and an array of truffles and cookies made for a sweet finale.

With the plates cleared and napkins folded, it was time to get up and dance. Special guest Justin Guarini, whom Dallas audiences might remember from DTC's world premiere Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical and TV fans the world over know from the first season of American Idol, rocked the stage with his band.

They were having so much fun, in fact, that the winning table from a donations contest, which took place earlier in the evening, requested to be Guarini's backup dancers for a song, rather than having a private meet-and-greet after the set. Individual voice lessons with Guarini were also auctioned off, netting a couple more thousand dollars for DTC's upcoming season.

But the fun didn't stop when the band played its final song. The back walls of the Winspear dramatically parted to reveal DJ Lucy Wrubel and those neon-clad models, dancing up a storm amid the flashing lights. Spotted in the crowd were DTC artistic director Kevin Moriarty, D'Andra Simmons, Lynn McBee, Stephanie and Todd Anderson, Stewart Cohen, Jennifer and Matt Hickey, Deborah McMurray, and Julie and Ken Hersh.

Justin Guarini

Photo by Dana Driensky

Justin Guarini

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Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

Jazz and classical mix at Dallas Symphony Orchestra's New Orleans-style gala

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

For one night only, Dallasites got to pretend they were in the Big Easy without ever leaving Texas. More than 420 guests gathered at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on September 28 for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's gala, themed this year around the colorful culture of New Orleans.

The evening began with a champagne cocktail reception featuring the David Washburn Jazz Band playing New Orleans-style jazz on the Meyerson’s radial staircase. When the time came to transition to dinner service, members of the DSO Young Musicians played “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” and led a second-line-style procession down the steps and through the lobby.

DSO gala 2024 It'd be impossible not to follow them.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Gala chairs Laura Harris-Means and Patrick Means, along with honorary chairs Cassandra and Avery Johnson, followed with umbrellas waving above their heads to signal to guests that it was time to be seated for an elegant dinner. The New Orleans theme continued with a Creole-inspired menu that included filet of beef, blackened Gulf prawns, asparagus, dauphinoise potatoes, and tricolored carrots.

DSO gala 2024. Patrick Means and Laura Harris-Means led the second line.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Spotted at the tables were Venise and Larry Stuart, Marena and Roger Gault, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Rachel and John Koryl, Chuck Steelman, Nancy A. Nasher, David J. Haemisegger, Grace Cook, Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, and District 14 Councilmembers Paul Ridley and Jamie Resendez.

After dinner, guests moved into the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall to enjoy world-renowned pianist Lang Lang in his first appearance with the DSO orchestra since the 2016 DSO gala.

The sold-out concert begin with Dallas Symphony Association chair of the Board of Governors Cece Smith thanking the 1,700 concert attendees. Smith then introduced Michelle Miller Burns, the DSO’s new president and CEO, who reminded the crowd that proceeds from the evening support the DSO’s education programs, including the Young Strings and The Kim Noltemy Young Musicians programs. These programs touch the lives of more than 243,000 North Texas residents annually, including more than 30,000 children.

DSO gala 2024 Laura Harris-Means and Young Strings student Patrick Miranda.Photo by Kristina Bowman

The 28 Young Strings, Young Musicians, and Teen Council students who were in the audience then stood to thunderous applause.

And with that, the legendary Lang Lang took to the stage on piano alongside the DSO, conducted by music director Fabio Luisi. On the program were Rachmaninoff’s expressively virtuosic Second Piano Concerto and two encores, Charlotte Sohy’s "Romance" followed by his own arrangement of the Disney/Elton John hit “Can You Feel the Love Tonight."

DSO gala 2024 Lang Lang during the performance.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

After the performance, guests returned to a lobby that had been magically transformed into Club Toulouse, an Cajun-flavored after-party experience with savory snacks, sweet desserts, and dancing to tunes spun by DJ Endolena.

DSO gala 2024 Guests danced their hearts out at the after-party.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

Next year’s gala is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025.

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