A.R.T Brings in Record Amount at 2016 Annual Gala

The Board of Trustees of the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) is pleased to announce that the theater's annual gala Boundless, was held at the Citi Wang Theatre on Monday, February 29 with over 500 supporters from Boston, LA, and NYC in attendance. The event, which raised just shy of $1,100,000 in support of the theater's artistic, community, and education programs, broke all fundraising records for the A.R.T.

RoAnn Costin, Linda and John Henry, and Maureen and Mike Sheehan who co-chaired the gala, welcomed guests and acknowledged the in-kind sponsors that helped design and create the event, including A?sop, The Catered Affair, Ilex Designs, the Martignetti Companies, Peterson's Party Center, Shipyard Brewing Company, and The Urban Grape. In her opening remarks, RoAnn Costin said "I stand in awe of our visionary Artistic Director Diane Paulus who inspires us all to continue to raise the bar, making extraordinary work here in Boston and sharing it with audiences literally around the world."

The evening honored Anne Finucane, Vice Chairman, Bank of America, with the annual Angel Award. In her remarks, A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus said, "For years, Anne has quietly worked behind the scenes to make great art accessible to all members of the Boston community. She is personally responsible for helping to transform the A.R.T. Education Experience program when it was at a critical moment of growth, and she has encouraged the Bank of America Foundation to invest in the A.R.T.'s education, community and artistic programs over the last several years. How she combines her intelligence, her grace, her passion, and her integrity is an inspiration to me, and I'm sure, to many other people in this room."

A moving video tribute to Finucane included accolades from documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, former Museum of Fine Arts Director Malcolm Rogers as well as Paulus, all of whom recognized her countless contributions to the Greater Boston arts community. Finucane was introduced by her husband, journalist and social and political commentator Mike Barnicle.

In accepting the award, Finucane said, "There are no great cities, no growing economies, without a thriving arts scene. The performing arts - music, theatre, film, the literary or the visual arts - can each transport us to a different place or bring meaning that you could never have seen in our day-to-day lives. They can enlighten us or lift us up, and sometimes art simply heals. Pablo Picasso said, 'Art washes away, from the soul, the dust of everyday life.' I believe that."

The night featured entertainment from Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe-nominated artist Matthew Morrison and the Boston Children's Chorus, who joined Morrison for the finale dedicated to the City of Boston-a rousing and inspiring rendition of "Stronger" from the A.R.T. production of Finding Neverland.

The auction, which was led by Kate Chertavian, highlighted opening night tickets to Waitress on Broadway this spring, a backstage tour at the A.R.T.'s production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 with Josh Groban when it opens on Broadway in Fall 2016, and a surprise package donated by Matthew Morrison including a meet-and-greet at his 54 Below concert in May. Bidding was hottest for a special Red Sox package donated by co-chairs Linda and John Henry, including an honorary first pitch and a "play ball!" announcement.

A.R.T. Board Chair Steve Johnson acknowledged the event's co-chairs, saying, "I'd like to thank our Gala co-chairs Mike and Maureen Sheehan, Linda and John Henry, and RoAnn Costin - you have motivated all of us with your deep commitment to the A.R.T. and this community. What you do, what you have dedicated yourselves to, is at the heart of what makes Greater Boston an inspired and inspiring place to be."

The event's illustrious co-chairs were joined by former Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino, celebrity event-planner Bryan Rafanelli, Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney, Hill Holliday head Karen Kaplan, Chief Judge Patti B. Saris, Barbara Hostetter, Katherine Chapman, Corinne Grousbeck, Patty Ribakoff, Anne and Todd McCormack, Barbara and Steve Grossman, many members of the Harvard community including Harvard Business School Dean Nitin Nohria, and A.R.T. Board members including Paul and Katie Buttenwieser, Rebecca and Nathan Milikowsky, Ann Gund, Lis Tarlow and Stephen Kay, and many more.

Photo by: Liza Voll Photography

To post a comment, you must register and login.