Photo Flash: Chicago Shakespeare Theater Hosts GALA 2016, Featuring Tony Winner Alan Cumming!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) celebrated the global impact of Shakespeare with GALA 2016 at the Theater's home on Navy Pier on the 400th Anniversary of his death-April 23, 2016-a date which also marked the playwright's 452nd birthday. As the signature celebration of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival, the night raised a record-breaking $1.4 million that will benefit the Tony Award®-winning theater's Chicago Shakespeare in Urban Classrooms and Communities initiatives, including Team Shakespeare education programs and the FREE citywide Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour. GALA 2016 presented the Spirit of Shakespeare Award to Civic Honoree ComEd, represented by President and CEO Anne Pramaggiore. Five hundred attendees from Chicago's civic and cultural community came together to toast Shakespeare's enduring legacy and enjoy a one-night-only performance featuring Tony- and Olivier Award-winner Alan Cumming, followed by a spectacular Aon Fireworks display over the city skyline.

In addition to honorary co-chairs Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule, GALA 2016 co-chairs Ally and Suzette Bulley, Barbara Malott Kizziah and Keith Kizziah and Paulita Pike and Zulfiqar Bokhari spearheaded the evening's events. The record fundraising total was made possible by the generous support of a Host Committee of 34 individuals and corporations led by Lead Sponsors ComEd/Exelon and Food For Thought Catering.

GALA 2016 dramatically showcased the multiple lobbies and performance spaces of Chicago Shakespeare with splendor and theatricality, thanks to lush floral arrangements from Bukiety and striking visuals from MDR Creative Inc. Throughout the event spaces, Chicago Shakespeare artists inhabited framed "Living Pictures," depicting a range of fashions and inspirations from the last 400 years. Eclectic de?cor, including clusters of chandeliers coupled with forward-thinking chrome tables and stylized room settings, whimsically juxtaposed old-world with contemporary flair.

Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner from Food for Thought Catering. The main course paired succulent Beef Tenderloin with herb-crusted Barramundi, accompanied by sides of Sundried Tomato Rissoto, Mushroom Ragout, Rapini, and Lemon Beurre Blanc. Drawing on the work of the playwright himself, dessert was "A Midsummer Night's Cherry Trifle Dream" with buttery Pistachio Financier layered with airy Pistachio Cream and Tart Cherry Compote. The meal was paired with wines courtesy of Van Duzer Vineyards.

Following dinner, guests gathered in CST's Courtyard Theater for the presentation of the Spirit of Shakespeare Award, which annually honors those that keep the spirit of Shakespeare alive through community service and artistic leadership. This year, CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson presented the Civic Honoree award to ComEd, represented by ComEd President and CEO Anne Pramaggiore, in recognition of the company's reputation as both a reliable energy provider and a socially responsible business-striving to preserve the environment, support education, contribute to local arts and culture and aid in neighborhood development. In her remarks, Pramaggiore pointed to Shakespeare's relevance today and her own experiences with the playwright as a student of theater.

Event attendees were treated to a special one-night-only guest performance by Tony- and Olivier Award-winner Alan Cumming. The famed actor of stage and screen delighted a full house with four musical numbers, accompanied by Music Director Lance Horne on the piano and Tug of War ensemble member Tahirah Whittington on the cello. Former CPS Shakespeare participant Roque Sanchez addressed the crowd, speaking to how the Theater's education programs inspired him to help others and become an activist for homeless youth. The performance concluded with Chicago Public School student Ariana Burks singing Georgia Stitt's musical rendition of Shakespeare's Sonnet 29, the very poetry that inspired the Theater's Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' love of Shakespeare.

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