Best of Broadway

Broadway legends fill the Dallas Summer Musicals stage at glam gala

To help celebrate the year of Hamilton, Dallas Summer Musicals pulled out all the stops for its 2019 gala. Titled An Evening with the Best of Broadway, the concert delivered with Great White Way stars of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Tony Award winner and Kennedy Center honoree Chita Rivera was the night's elegant emcee, and though she sadly did not sing or dance, the star-studded lineup more than made up for it.

Olivier Award-winner and Glee alum Amber Riley kicked things off with powerful performances of "Natural Woman," as well as "Home" from The Wiz. Riley also delivered unforgettable renditions of "I Am Changing" and "Love You I Do" from her award-winning role as Effie in the West End production of Dreamgirls.

Next, Tony Award-winner Kelli O'Hara graced the stage, charming the audience with her unmatched vocals and charismatic humor. O'Hara's set included "Wonderful Guy" from South Pacific, "To Build a Home" from The Bridges of Madison County, and "They Don't Let You in the Opera (If You're a Country Star)," which appears on her album Always.

In continuation of DSM's gala tradition of surprise guests, current star of Disney's Frozen on Broadway Caissie Levy captivated the crowd with epic performances of "Let It Go," "I Don't Know How to Love Him," and "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In," followed by original Rent cast member Adam Pascal, who was welcomed with roaring applause before his performance of "One Song Glory."

Between performances, the Charles S. Sharp and Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler ANGEL Award was presented to Sally Hoglund by the Sharps' daughter, Sally Harris. Hoglund is a driving force in philanthropic efforts and has generously given her time and talent in support of DSM. Most recently, Hoglund served as co-chair of the DSM Performs Campaign and worked for over three years to raise stability funds in support of DSM's education and community partnerships.

Led by gala co-chairs Calvert Collins-Bratton and Vince Bratton and Helen and Brendan McGuire, the evening began with a cocktail reception and dinner curated by Joule Catering. Guests participated in a silent auction that included opportunities to bid on a trip for two to the 74th Annual Tony Awards in New York City (made possible by Broadway Across America and American Airlines); premium tickets to DSM's performance and cast parties of Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, and Frozen; and a trip to Terranea Resort in Palso Verdes Estate, as well as tickets to a performance at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles.

"We are so grateful for our supporters who make it possible for Dallas Summer Musicals to share the gift of Broadway with our community," says Kenneth T. Novice, DSM president. "Funds raised from An Evening with the Best of Broadway afford us the opportunity to impact communities by lifting spirits and sparking curiosity through the magic that only live theater can deliver. We were thrilled to share with everyone the highlights from this past season's education and community partnership initiatives as well as announce the launch of new programs for the upcoming season."

The night concluded with students from Cedar Hill Independent School District, Dallas ISD, Denton ISD, Highland Park ISD, Mesquite ISD, Richardson ISD, and Wylie ISD, as well as the 2019 DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards' Best Actress winner, Haley Dortch of Guyer High School, joining Riley, O'Hara, Levy, and Pascal onstage for a memorable finale performance of "Seasons of Love" from Rent and "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen.

An Evening with the Best of Broadway raised more than $500,000, which will support the nonprofit DSM in its mission to bring the very best of Broadway to North Texas, develop appreciation of musical theater among diverse audiences, and foster meaningful arts experiences for children and families in the community.

DSM's 2019-2020 season continues with Cats, Dear Evan Hansen, The Band's Visit, Come From Away, Jesus Christ Superstar, Disney's Frozen, Escape to Margaritaville, and season add-ons Blue Man Group and Rent.

For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call 214-421-5678 or visit the website at DallasSummerMusicals.org.

Vince Bratton, Calvert Collins-Bratton, Ken Novice, Kuoy Novice

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Vince Bratton, Calvert Collins-Bratton, Ken Novice, Kuoy Novice

theater charity celebrities awards fundraisers concerts galas music kids

Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

executives parks klyde warren park