Nov. 4, 2015

2015 Applause! Brings Down the House

Melanie Dillman and Cay Cowie

Phoenix Theatre hosted its annual Applause! Gala on Oct. 16, bringing out Arizona art and culture lovers. Raising nearly $472,000, the event exceeded its fundraising goal by almost $100,000, making the gala the second-highest grossing event in Phoenix Theatre’s history. These much needed funds help to sustain the theatre throughout the year to provide programs like Partners that Heal, Theatre for Young Audiences, The Festival of New Plays and Musicals and many other community offerings.

Chairs Jean Marley and Susie Wesley, with their vice chairs McKenna Bruner and Abby Traister, orchestrated an evening of glitz and glamour with a Chicago theme. Many of the 397 guests dressed in 1920s attire, and all enjoyed a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and a “Prohibition Pull.” They were also treated to an original stage production in which each award recipient was honored with an original presentation of their favorite musical based on their life. Producing Artistic Director Michael Barnard, Phoenix Theatre wrote the production.

Special to this year’s Applause! Gala was the announcement of the Pope Humanitarian Award, formerly the Humanitarian Award. Valley businessman and philanthropist Herman Chanen announced the naming of this award in honor of Linda and Bill Pope and their tremendous impact on the community.

The Applause! Gala honorees included Dr. Gladys McGarey with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Cheryl Hintzen-Gaines and Carrie Martz with the Women Who Care Award; Bobby Barnes and Michael Pollack with the Men of Character Award; Vicki Marce with the Angel of Art Award; and Erika Monroe-Williams and Matt Williams with the Pope Humanitarian Award.

Other highlights included Robert Machiz, presenting sponsor and honorary chairman, being “arrested” for extreme philanthropy and kept in “jail” (on stage) while the audience participated in bidding to “Bail Out Bob” during the live auction. Other auction items included trips across America and Mexico, a VIP jewelry experience at Molina Fine Jewelers, a trip to New York Fashion Week including tickets to Chicago, and a private dinner with wine pairings by Chef Gabriele Bertaccini, who served the evening’s three-course dinner.

At top, Gala honorees and presenters