Applause! Cocktail Kickoff

Phoenix Theatre held its kick-off party April 22 at the home of

Billie Jo and Judd Herberger. Musical performances of Billie Holiday’s

“God Bless the Child” and a rousing rendition of “All I Care About is Love”

from Chicago started off an evening of celebration.

Applause! – the fall gala – is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2015.

(left to right) Michael Pollack, Cheryl Hintzen-Gaines, Vicki Marce and Bobby Barnes 

In a single evening, more than $85,000 was raised to kick off the fundraising, which supports Phoenix Theatre’s work on stage, as well as the organization’s outreach programs. The 2015 Applause! gala will be all about that jazz.

Robert Machiz is the presenting sponsor and honorary chairman of Applause! Jean Marley and Susie Wesley are chairing the gala.

Honorees at the October event will be:

! Dr. Gladys McGarey, Lifetime Achievement

! Bobby Barnes, Man of Character

! Michael Pollack, Man of Character

! Cheryl Hintzen-Gaines, Woman Who Cares

! Carrie Martz, Woman Who Cares

! Vicki Marce, Angel of the Art

! Erika Monroe-Williams and Matt Williams, Humanitarian Award

(left) Bob and Pat Bondurant and Shannon Barthelemy

(right) Cheryl Pollack, Tracey Lytle, Larry Lytle and Sarah Suggs

(left) Laura Moser and Lynne Love

(right) Robert Machiz and Cheryl Hintzen-Gaines

(left) Susie Wesley, Jean Marley, Abby Traister and McKenna Bruner

(right) Trish McCarty, Michael Pollack and Jane Christensen

(left) Phoenix Theatre Producing Artistic Director Michael Barnard and Erika Monroe-Williams

(right) Patsy Lowry, Billie Jo Herberger and Nicole Gabler